Despite the challenges of lockdown and restrictions occasioned by the novel coronavirus, the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has been working and pushing hard to ensure that criminals don’t take undue advantage of the situation to perpetrate crimes.
According to the Zonal Office, from January till date, 114 convictions which represent 70 percent of entire convinctions achieved in the last one year, an indication that the lockdown hasn’t rendered the agency redundant.
The Head, Ibadan Zonal Office, Mr Kanu Idagu made the disclosures on Friday while addressing the press in commemoration of the 2020 Democracy Day.
Giving a review of the year, Idagu said the zone investigated 556 cases, secured 152 convictions while 97 others are in court.
He added that the sum of N250,223,451.15; $215, 142; CD325 (Canadian dollars); €1,990 and £500 as well as 72 vehicles and properties worth billions of naira in locations spread across the zone were also recovered.
He added that all the achievements would largely be impossible without the tremendous support the commission enjoys from time to time from the Federal Government.
Idagu however lamented that the commission was not immune against the impact of the virus, saying the social distancing measures introduced to curb it’s spread has affected activities in no small measure.
He noted that the measure has taken a toll on the commissions capacity to effect arrest of suspects as well as take them to court, with correctional centres also refusing to accept suspects despite the order of court for them to keep them in custody pending the next adjourned date.
Idagu said “With the unwavering support of our Chairman and other stakeoldrrs, the zone has recorded remarkable successes in the period under review.
“Within the said period, the zone investigated 556 cases. We were able to secure 151 convictions out of the number, while 97 others are still in court.
“From July 2019 to June 2020, we recovered an aggregate sum of N25, 223, 451.15. Others in foreign currencies include $215,142; CD325; €1,990. Also recovered are 72 vehicles and properties worth billions of naira in location spread across the zone.
“The social-distancing measures intoruduced as part of the measures to curb its spread has affected our activities in no small measure. This has taken a toll in our capacity to effect arrest of suspects as well as take them to court for prosecution.
“Even now that the country is gradually easing the lockdown, there are still hurdles we battle with in the line of duties. For instance, we have had instances where the Correctional Centres would refuse accepting suspects despite the order of court to keep them in their custody pending the next adjourned date.
“Nothwitstanding the challenges of the lockdown, however, the zone has been working, pushing hard to ensure that criminals don’t take undue advantage of the situation.
“For instance, the number of convictions from January till date stand at 114. In other words, almost 70 percent of the entire convictions recorded in the last one year took place in 2020. Equally, N122,917,676 of the N250,223,451.15 mentioned above was recovered betw January and June 2020. Also under the period, $101,246, CD300, £500 and 21 vehicles were also recovered.”
Related
