Revealed: How much EFCC recovered from looters in 12 years

In 12 years of its existence, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered more than $2tn.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed

This was made known by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who also called for collaboration between all relevant agencies of the Federal Government for the war against corruption to succeed.

“More than $2tn has been confiscated and recovered’ in the last 12 years by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” the CJN was quoted by Punch newspaper.

He stated this at a workshop on ‘combating financial fraud, cyber and cross-border crimes’ in Abuja on Tuesday, February 2.

He also stated that he was currently working with the judiciary to ensure the success of government’s efforts to end impunity in the land.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had said that the judiciary was his only “headache” in his fight against corruption.

Justice Mohammed said any efforts to end impunity in the country must first consider and prioritise reforms of the nation’s laws.

“The justice sector must be better coordinated and develop synergistic avenues for the exchange of information and best practices. It is time to leave the rhetoric behind and take visible steps forward in this fight against transnational crimes.

“I believe that if we work in harmony and in sincerity of purpose towards concrete outcomes, then, the efforts that we make will doubtless create a butterfly effect of positive change that is so sorely required in the justice sector.

“Achieving success in fighting fraud, cybercrime and other cross-border crimes depends on all stakeholders working together towards developing intelligent initiatives, which will result in tangible and pragmatic solutions to ending and ridding ourselves of these emerging crimes.”

Meanwhile, more revelations have emerged in NRC contract scam investigations. Former chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Mohammed Haliru Bello, has admitted to signing documents in the ongoing contract scam being investigated in the sector.