Crimes

EFCC probes ex-govs, ex-ministers, recovers N27bn, $19m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered a sum of N27,184,357,524.52 and $19,084,419.33 from three different money laundering cases in the country.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, made the disclosure while speaking on behalf of the acting chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdukarim Chukkol, in an interview with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

Oyewale, who failed to disclose the identity of the individuals involved in the money laundering cases, said the EFCC would soon make public, details of its ongoing probe of some former governors, ex-ministers, and several government officials across the country, following the receipt of several petitions.

He added that the anti-graft agency is also carrying out investigations into some monumental procurement fraud involving some officials of the Federal Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The EFCC spokesman disclosed that funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Power projects were diverted through some Bureau de Change operators.

READ ALSO: EFCC arraigns man for duping Kano Emir’s wife N20m

Oyewale stated that the EFCC has seized several houses in Abuja, Lagos, and Cross River states which are proceeds of funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Power projects.

He said: “In three different cases, the commission has recovered N27,184,357,524.52 and $19,084,419.33. While ongoing recovery is being made, the commission’s works are progressing in line with our mandate as prevention initiatives, risk assessments, and recovery efforts are being intensified.

“Petitions were received in respect of several public officials, some of them former governors, some former ministers, and some ministry officials, and investigations are ongoing on those petitions; however, details of their involvements and our investigations will soon be made public.

“Also, investigations are ongoing in respect of monumental fraud involving some officials of the Federal Ministry of Power and Agriculture; procurement fraud actually.

“Funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Power projects are diverted through sundry Bureau de Change operators.  For now, several houses purchased with the funds are being recovered. The houses are in Abuja, Lagos, and Cross River states.”

It would be recalled that the EFCC, in May 2023, arrested a former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, over an alleged N22 billion fraud.

The anti-graft agency, in September, quizzed a former Minster of Power, Olu Agunloye, over an alleged $6 billion Build, Operate and Transfer contract.

The Star

Segun Ojo

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