EFCC, key player in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria – official

Mr Johnson Oshodi, South East Zone, Deputy Head of Operations, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) said the commission was key in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria.

Oshodi stated this at a press conference organised to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day on Friday in Enugu.

He said that establishment of the anti graft agency in 2003, brought new lease of life to a country acknowledged as a cesspool of corruption among the comity of nations.

This, he said, led to the country pariah state in the 1990s.

“The activities of EFCC has helped in sustaining the gains of democracy by saving the country billions of naira from the hands of corrupt public offices,” he said.

Oshodi said that the commission in South East zone had the following modest achievements recorded between January 2019 and May 28, 2020.

”During the period under review, a total of 730 petition sourced from intelligence gathering, complainants and through the commission’s executive chairman’s office for investigative were approved and assigned for investigation,” Oshodi said.

He said that the zone had always been pro-active in intelligence gathering and carried out several raids beyond its area, including Awka in Anambra, Enugu and in Benin, Edo.

”This led to the arrest of over 200 cyber criminals and secured several convictions,” the zonal boss said.

He further said that the zone had recovered looted funds and assets in public and private dealings of about N400 million within the period under review.

He noted that the commission had also seized 61 different brands of exotic cars which were registered with the exhibit keeper.

“The zone is investigating some cases of public interest mostly involving high profile personalities and politically exposed persons such as INEC ad-hoc officials from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu states.

”These people are involved in diverting state funds running into billions of naira.

“The zone has successfully concluded and secured 113 convictions for the period under review.

”It has equally charged 180 cases to court for various offences during the period,” Oshodi said.

He decried the debilitating effect of cyber crime in the south east zone, noting that it was leading the pack of perpetrators in the country.

Oshodi commended the judiciary for making the commission’s job easy and urged them to put more effort in quick dispensation of justice in the interest of the country.

The deputy head of operations called on indigenes of the zone to take up the challenge of curbing cyber crime. (NAN)

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