The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday lamented that the social distancing measures introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19 has affected activities of the anti-graft agency in no small measure.
Mr. Kanu Idagu, Head of Ibadan Zonal Office of EFCC, revealed this while addressing the press in commemoration of the 2020 Democracy Day.
Idagu noted that the measure has taken a toll on the EFCC’s capacity to effect arrest of suspects and to take them to court for prosecution.
The Head of EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal office lamented further that correctional centres (Prisons) are also refusing to accept suspects despite court orders to keep them (suspected fraudsters) in custody pending the next adjourned dates.
Idagu, however, revealed that the Ibadan zonal office had secured 114 convictions from January this year till date, despite the lockdown and restrictions occasioned by the outbreak of Covid-19.
He said the figure represented 70 percent of entire convinctions achieved in the last one year.
Idagu said the zone investigated 556 cases, secured 152 convictions while 97 others are in court in the last one year.
He added that the sum of N250,223,451.15; $215, 142; CD325 (Canadian dollars); €1,990 and £500 as well as 72 vehicles and properties worth billions of naira in locations spread across the zone were also recovered.
The Head of EFFC Ibadan Zonal office added that all the achievements would largely be impossible without the tremendous support the commission enjoys from time to time from the Federal Government.
Idagu said “With the unwavering support of our Chairman and other stakeoldrrs, the zone has recorded remarkable successes in the period under review.
“Within the said period, the zone investigated 556 cases. We were able to secure 151 convictions out of the number, while 97 others are still in court.
“From July 2019 to June 2020, we recovered an aggregate sum of N25, 223, 451.15. Others in foreign currencies include $215,142; CD325; €1,990. Also recovered are 72 vehicles and properties worth billions of naira in location spread across the zone.
“Even now that the country is gradually easing the lockdown, there are still hurdles we battle with in the line of duties. For instance, we have had instances where the Correctional Centres would refuse accepting suspects despite the order of court to keep them in their custody pending the next adjourned date.
“Nothwitstanding the challenges of the lockdown, however, the zone has been working, pushing hard to ensure that criminals don’t take undue advantage of the situation.
“For instance, the number of convictions from January till date stand at 114. In other words, almost 70 percent of the entire convictions recorded in the last one year took place in 2020. Equally, N122,917,676 of the N250,223,451.15 mentioned above was recovered betw January and June 2020. Also under the period, $101,246, CD300, £500 and 21 vehicles were also recovered.”
