The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office said it has recovered a total of N84,260,183.97 within its first year of operation in Benue state.
Within the period under review, the Commission said it has also secured 22 convictions on various offences bordering on corruption with trial ongoing on other cases in various courts.
Acting Head of Operations, Mohammed Alkali who disclosed this on Thursday, while briefing Journalists on the activities of the office in the last one year, described it as significant as it coincides with this year’s Democracy Day.
Alkali who noted that within the short period of it’s creation, the EFCC in Makurdi, has made tremendous achievements said.
“It is noteworthy that within one year of its operation, the zone has recovered a total sum of N84,260,183.97 and secured a total number of 22 convictions on various offences bordering on economic and financial crimes.”
He used the opportunity to educate the people on the ills of corruption, stressing that corruption was the bane of the country’s development.
According to him, “corruption is not peculiar to fraud only. It also entails vices such as sabotage of the system, violation of due process for personal gain, nepotism, giving jobs to unqualified people, buying certificates for employment and bribery”.
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He said the Zone has received 407 petitions with 21 cases currently in various courts for trial.
He decried the rising cases of ponzi schemes and cyber crimes popularly called “yahoo-yahoo” in the country, urging parents to monitor their wards seriously.
The EFCC boss described as unfortunate the fact that some parents are not only aware of their children’s involvements, but even abet such terrible crimes.
He cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of disclosing their personal information to anyone who calls or requests for such via text message, which he noted has been a way through which ATM and other bank-related frauds are perpetuated.
Alkali also reiterated the resolve of the Ibrahim Magu led Commission
to rid the nation of every form of corruption, saying it was imperative for all Nigerians to support the EFCC’s fight against corruption, in order to achieve a better Nigeria.
He thanked the media for their support for the Commission, describing their role as key to winning the fight against corruption and called for more synergy from all stakeholders.
