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EFCC has become nightmare to corrupt public officers, fraudsters under Bawa – CSOs

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A coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as a nightmare of corrupt politicians, public servants and internet fraudsters in the country.

Speaking at a World Press Conference on Corruption and National Issues in Lagos on Monday, March 13, 2023, Rasak Olokooba, President, Campaign for Dignity in Governance, CDG, said: “Corrupt politicians and public officers across party divides, fraudsters across geopolitical zones and gods of men across religions and faiths now know that the fear of the EFCC is the beginning of wisdom.”

Olokooba also commended the EFCC for performing beyond expectations, especially in the areas of prosecution of cases, adding that it had restored the confidence of Nigerians who now see the possibility of building a greater nation.

Olokooba, who took a historical look at the activities of the Commission, praised the EFCC for the increase in convictions and recovery of assets recorded across all zones of the country, particularly since the appointment of AbdulRasheed Bawa as the Executive Chairman in February 2021.

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According to him, “There was increase in convictions and recoveries across all zones of the country. For example, between 2016 and 2019, the number of convictions secured rose from 195 to 1,280; and by 2021, the figure had hit unprecedented 2220, a value amounting to 98.47% of all cases brought before the court of law.
“In the same year, over N150 billion was recovered, with recovery in other currencies such as $ 386 million, £1.182 million) and €156,000.

“The record for the year 2022 is even more startling for the forces of corruption and encouraging for the anti-corruption forces, as total number of convictions in the year was 3785, a 70% increase over the 2220 recorded in 2021.

“The monetary recovery was also higher in the year 2022, with over N260 billion; USD 509 billion; 2.196 million Euros; 876.138 British pounds and millions of other foreign currencies recovered.

“These values exclude assets such as automobiles, electronics, machines, factories, hotels, petroleum products and minerals such as lithium, which were recovered in the same period and worth billions of naira. “

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The Civil Society Coalition urged the incoming administration to leverage the sterling performance of the EFCC under the leadership of Abdulrasheed Bawa to consolidate the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
According to Olookoba, the “incoming president should be interested in furtherance of the good work of the out-going President, especially in areas where evidence abound of such good work.

“For us in the Civil Society, and beyond, the details of the great work the EFCC team has been doing, is the fact that incorruptible and fearless individuals like Abdulrasheed Bawa deserve a place in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
“He represents to us, an exemplar in the fight against corruption in the present and in the future”.

 

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BREAKING: FG, states, LGs share N1.123tn in March

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The Federation Account Allocation Committee has disbursed a total of N1.123tn to the federal, state, and local governments for March 2024.

 

The allocation, derived from a gross total of N1.867tn, marks a critical distribution of funds aimed at supporting various government tiers.

 

This was revealed in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, on Friday.

 

FAAC has the duty of examining and approving the distribution of financial resources to the states and the Federal Government.

Monthly, this committee is tasked with the disbursement of funds across Nigeria’s 36 states and its 774 local government areas.

 

This allocation is anticipated to drive progress and support governmental bodies across various tiers in executing their duties.

 

The FAAC shared N1.152.trn to the three tiers of government for February 2024 from a gross total of N2.326.14trn.

 

Manga stated that the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, chaired the meeting and highlighted the importance of the allocation.

READ  EFCC receives ‘fake $6m’ intercepted by customs, promises thorough probe

 

This distribution is pivotal in ensuring that all government levels have the necessary funds to continue their development projects and provide essential services to the citizens,” the statement read.

 

The statement noted that the Federal Government received N345.890bn, states, and local governments received N398.689bn and N288.688bn, respectively, while oil-producing states received N90.224bn as 13 per cent mineral revenue derivation.

 

The FAAC statement also noted an increase in the gross revenue from Value Added Tax for March 2024, amounting to N549.698bn—an N89.210bn rise from the previous month.

 

This increase reflects the country’s economic growth and improved tax compliance.

 

Despite the positive trend in VAT, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N1.017tn for March was lower than February’s N1.192tn by N175.212bn.

 

The decrease has been attributed to reductions in excise duty, oil royalty, petroleum profit tax, customs external tariff levies, and electronic money transfer levy.

 

The balance in the Excess Crude Account as of April 2024 stands at $473,754.57, indicating a reserve for future financial stability.

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The statement noted that the FAAC’s decision to allocate these funds is expected to bolster economic activities across the nation and support the government’s efforts in improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other vital sectors.

 

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Tinubu appoints Emomotimi Agama as SEC DG

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Emomotimi Agama as the director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

 

Details later…

READ  Osipitan docked for N6bn PHCN insurance benefit fraud
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Army releases Delta monarch declared wanted over Okuama killings

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The army has released Clement Ikolo, a traditional ruler in Delta state, who was arrested over the murder of 17 officers in Okuama community.

 

Ikolo was released on Friday during a briefing by Onyema Nwachukwu, director, army public relations, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

 

The army personnel were killed on March 14 during a peacekeeping operation in the community.

 

The Defence Headquarters had declared Ikolo among eight persons wanted in connection to the murder.

 

The monarch subsequently turned himself in after releasing a statement to plead his innocence.

 

Ikolo said taking lives is against his philosophy and faith as a Catholic, and urged the army to look elsewhere for the culprits.

 

The monarch was released to Ede Dafinone, senator representing Delta central, who stood as surety.

 

Nwachukwu said Ikolo’s release did not amount to exoneration but was only facilitated after the senator testified to his character.

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Others declared wanted over the murder are Ekpekpo Arthur, a professor of physics at the Delta State University; Akeywiru Omotegbono, Andaowei Bakrikri, Igoli Ebi, a lady; Akata David, Sinclear Oliki, and Reuben Baru.

 

After the killing of the officers, President Bola Tinubu and the military high command promised that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

 

 

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