EFCC Set To Auction Seized Houses

By Ayodele Oni

As a follow up to the auctioning of seized vehicles by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the anti graft agency is set to sell not less than 150 houses.

The properties are located in different towns within the Country.

Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrosheed Bawa, who disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, said the Commission has, also, recovered over N30 billion from the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris.

The EFCC is currently prosecuting the embattled AGF over alleged N109 billion fraud.

The EFCC alleged that between February and December 2021, Idris accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification of N15.1 billion, in a bid to accelerating the payment of 13 per cent derivation to the nine oil-producing states in the country, through the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that N84.3 billion from the Federal Government’s account was converted by the suspended AGF and Akindele between February and November 2021.

The EFCC said the offence contravenes sections 155 and 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

The EFCC Chairman, speaking at a media briefing as part of the highlights of the activities of the anti-graft agency for the year 2022, disclosed further that the commission made efforts to recover some of the stolen funds.

Speaking on the achievements of the EFCC from January to December 2022, Bawa gave other recoveries to include N134,33,759,574.25, $121,769,076.30, £21,020.00, €156,925.00, and ¥21,350.00, CFA300,000.00, among others.

The EFCC boss disclosed that over 3,615 convictions were recorded within the period, stressing that the commission is serious about its anti-corruption programme.

He announced that the nationwide auction of forfeited automobiles will be followed by the disposal of over 150 houses to interested buyers.

Bawa, however, assured that by the time the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCMUL) becomes fully operational, it will be difficult for money to be laundered in the country.