• As Olukoyede Marks Anniversary in Abuja

• Safiu Kehinde

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has, on Thursday, disclosed the recovery of over N2.48 billion and 3,455 convictions as Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, marked one year in office.

As contained in a statement issued on the anti-graft agency’s X handle, the EFCC boss highlighted his achievements at a media conference held in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the statement, the EFCC recorded recoveries of monetary assets, which included an estimate of N2.48 billion.

In the same vein, foreign currencies were also recovered by the Commission in the one year of Olukoyede’s leadership which include over $105 million, £53 thousand, and €172 thousand amongst others.

The EFCC, under his leadership, also effected the arrest of former ministers while also recording 3,455 convictions across all categories of financial crimes and corruption.

While restating his commitment to continue his frontal war against economic and financial crimes, Olukoyede, represented by EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, admitted that the last one year has been action-packed, record-breaking and result-loaded.

He recounted the series of arraignments and ongoing probe of alleged corrupt former political office holders that the agency had initiated among which include ex-Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.

“Fighting corruption is not an easy task but you can agree with us that we have done well in the past one year of Olukoyede. In his one year as EFCC Chairman, beginning from October 18, 2023 to October 18, 2024, the Commission has charged four former governors, namely: Yahaya Adoza Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Darius Dickson Ishaku, (Taraba) to court for alleged corruption.

“Yahaya Bello is charged in two different courts, one at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470, 089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo).

“A different charge of Yahaya Bello alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu is also before Justice Maryanne Anenih on 16-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4billion.

“Ex-governor Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State and former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, are facing prosecution before Justice S. C Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja on a 15-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds in the state to the tune of N27,000,000,000.00 (Twenty Seven Billion Naira).

“Ex-governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, the former governor of Kwara State alongside Ademola Banu, former Commissioner of Finance in the state are facing prosecution on a 12-count charge, bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N10billion.

“On Wednesday, January 24, 2024 the EFCC arraigned Willie Obiano, a former Anambra State governor before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

“He was arraigned on nine counts bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption to the tune of N4 billion.” Olukoyede said.

Other achievements include the creation of Special Taskforce against Naira abuse and Dollarisation of the Economy, collaboration with and governmental and international agencies as well as local civil society organizations, and the reintroduction of inter-faith manual for Christians and Muslims.