The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, said on Friday that it has made a total of 151 convictions between July 2019 and June this year out of the 556 cases that were investigated within the period.
Also, the commission said it recovered the sum of N250,223,451.15 within the period under review.
Making this disclosure, while addressing journalists at a briefing held at the commission’s zonal office, was the Head, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, Mr Kanu Idagu.
Idagu disclosed that, in addition, the commission recovered sums of $215,142; CD325; €990; and £500.
Also, a total of 72 vehicles and properties worth billions of naira were said to have been seized at different locations across the zone.
He said, “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 2020 , we recovered an aggregate of N250,223,451.15. Others in foreign currencies include $215,142 CD325; €990; and £500.
“Let me wow you that a reasonable percentage of the feats highlighted above were actually recorded within the COVID-19 crisis period.
“For instance, the number of convictions from January till date stand at 114. In other word, almost 70 per cent of the entire convictions recorded in the last last one year took place in 2020.
“Equally, N122,917,676.72 of the N250,223,451.15 mentioned above was recovered between January and June 2020. Also, under the period, $101,246; CD300; €1275 and £500 were recovered, as well as 21 vehicles.”
Idagu said the commission’s operations had been skeletal as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We shall ensure that in future, we bring in experts to test suspects in order not to hinder our duties,” he said.
Corruption in Nigeria is a cog in the wheel of progress.