The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) on Thursday rejected a Punch editorial that questioned the company’s achievements in Nigeria’s anti‑corruption struggle, citing N566 billion and US$411 million in recovered property over the previous two years.
In a press release shared with PREMIUM TIMES, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale described the editorial, printed on 30 October, as “missing objectivity” and misrepresenting the fee’s document.
“The editorial’s characterisation is especially worrisome,” Mr Oyewale stated, noting that asset restoration is broadly recognised as a key instrument within the struggle towards corruption by establishments such because the World Financial institution and the United Nations Workplace on Medication and Crime (UNODC).
He added that the EFCC secured 792 arrests in a single operation, forfeited 753 housing items, and deported 192 convicted fraudsters, underscoring the fee’s ongoing enforcement efforts.
Mr Oyewale additionally spotlighted the position of recovered property in improvement initiatives, together with the Nigeria Schooling Mortgage Fund (NELFUND) and Credit score Corp.
On delays in prosecuting circumstances or presidential pardons, he famous that these fall outdoors EFCC’s mandate.
The EFCC assertion referenced Nigeria’s removing from the Monetary Motion Job Drive (FATF) gray checklist in October, attributing the milestone to reforms applied by the fee.
It additionally cited the work of the Fraud Danger Evaluation & Management (FRAC) division in stopping graft earlier than it happens.
Established greater than 20 years in the past, the EFCC investigates, prosecutes, and recovers proceeds of financial and monetary crimes. Between October 2023 and September, underneath Government Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the fee reported restoration of N566 billion, US$411 million, and 1,502 non-monetary property.
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In 2024, the EFCC recorded 4,111 convictions, investigated 12,928 complaints, filed 5,083 circumstances in court docket, and forfeited over 750 high-value properties.
Collectively with the Impartial Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC), the company recovered an extra N277 billion and US$105.966 million that yr.
Critics, nonetheless, proceed to level to delays in case decision, restricted prosecutions of politically uncovered individuals, and questions on asset utilisation, whereas some media retailers have expressed scepticism over reported figures.
The Punch editorial argued that EFCC’s asset restoration claims have been overstated.
