EFCC is probing ex and serving Governors - Magu

It has come to our notice that the EFCC is investigating ex and serving state governors for graft. This was made known by the acting Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ibrahim Magu.

He also said that suspects who worked hand in hand with the governors were being invited for questioning. However, he did not disclose the identities of those under probe, his reasons being that saying such would jeopardise investigations.

Speaking at a press conference marking the 2020 Democracy Day in Abuja on Thursday, Magu said the agency had recovered assets in excess of N980bn in the last five years.

He also disclosed that the commission within the same period recovered a large array of non-monetary assets that include real estate, private jets, oil vessels, filling stations, schools, hotels, trucks, cars, jewellery, shopping malls and electronics. He noted, 

“We are on course in all the cases we are prosecuting, our scorecard in the area of conviction is 2,240 in the last five years and we covered assets in excess of N980bn, with quite a large array of non-monetary assets. 

We are also investigating serving and former governors and questioning those conniving with them.”

On the case of former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu, Magu said the EFCC would go back to court.

The Commissioner of Police added that the investigation by the United Kingdom police into activities of a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke was taking too long, adding that the EFCC had placed her on a watch list and on red alert by the Interpol system.

Meanwhile, the Lagos zonal office of the EFCC said on Thursday that secured 257 convictions and recovered the sums of N14, 099,952,688.22, $5, 723, 042 and €31,500 in the last one year.

The anti-graft agency added that it arrested 1,444 suspects with over 300 of them, including Internet personality, Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha, “and his conspirator, Hamza Khoudeih,” arraigned in court.

A statement on Thursday by the zone’s Head of Public Affairs, Ayo Oyewole, quoted the Lagos Zonal Head of the EFCC, Muhammed Rabo, to have given the figures. Rabo said, 

“In fact, we are prepared, more than ever before, for a more robust collaboration with the FBI this year”.

Nigerians abroad urged to pressurise US government for Madueke's repatriation

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has urged Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) to pressurise the UK government to repatriate former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke to face trial over graft charges.

EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale disclosed that Magu made the call at a Virtual Town Hall Meeting, an interaction with Nigerians in The Diaspora, anchored in London by the Host/Moderator of the group, Ade Omole.

Magu also asked them to support the anti-graft war and expose foreign assets of corrupt politicians by taking advantage of government’s whistle-blowing policy.

“The EFCC needs collaborative engagements with you all,” he said, insisting that Nigerians abroad should assert more pressure on authorities and governments in their countries of residence to prosecute corrupt Nigerians taking refuge in their domains.

He expressed displeasure over the continued huddles being faced by the EFCC to try Allison-Madueke, stressing that Nigerians in the UK should form pressure groups to demand her trial without further delay.

“Nigerians in the United Kingdom need to collaborate with the EFCC more and pressure the UK authorities to assist the EFCC in bringing Diezani to trial. Does it not bother Nigerians in that country that Diezani has not been tried for allegations of corruption against her?

The public ownership of the fight against corruption should not be limited to Nigerians at home. We must all come forward, wherever we are, to insist that corruption must not continue,” he said.He gave accounts of the painstaking works of the EFCC in the conviction and recovery, assuring that the EFCC was on course in the pursuit of its assigned mandate.

“We are on course. In 2020 alone, in spite of the COVID- 19 pandemic, we have secured 213 convictions, which shows the commitment we are putting into the work,” he stressed.

Magu assured Nigerians in The Diaspora of protection of their businesses at home, stressing that local fraudsters frustrating them from investing in the country would henceforth be dealt with.

‘”The EFCC is aware of the frustrations, uncertainties and risks local fraudsters pose to credible businessmen and women abroad, who wish to invest in the Nigerian economy and the commission is ready to offer intelligence services to anyone seeking genuine business partners in Nigeria,” he added.

Responding, participants at the conference, numbering over 500, who were drawn from Europe, Asia, Africa, South and North America and other parts of the world, commended the EFCC for its fight against economic and financial crimes

Professor Adebisi Adewole of the University of Scotland commended the EFCC for it efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption, urging the commission to continue it its commitment to free the country of corruption and economic crimes.