We Are Yet To Close Probe – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday said it is yet to close probe of $3billion loot allegedly traced to the late head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha.

The agency also said it secured 117 convictions out of 533 cases in 2013.

It added that investigation of the N255millon bullet proof cars scam, involving a former minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, is still ongoing.The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who made the disclosures at a briefing in Abuja, said there was no way the commission could close probe of Abacha’s loot.

About $2.550billion out of $3billion had been so far recovered by the Federal Government from the late Abacha’s accounts and his family. The breakdown is as follows: voluntary surrender ($750m), Switzerland ($570m), Jersey ($380m), UK ($150m), Luxembourg ($300m) and Liechtenstein ($400m). Barely few months after the 13th year anniversary of his death, the Federal Government also recovered£22.5m (N6.18billion) loot which the late Abacha allegedly stashed in the Island of Jersey.

Another £20million is being investigated as part of the outstanding $450million.

Uwujaren said, “We have done substantial work on Abacha’s loot, but we have not totally closed the matter. In investigating financial crime of this nature, a case of this nature is not totally closed. “If there are issues on Abacha’s loot, we will still investigate them. But we have not concluded the probe of the loot.”

On the N255millon bullet proof cars scam involving Oduah, the EFCC spokesman said investigating was in progress. He added: “I think the issue is not whether or not we are going to invite Oduah, we are in that matter. “The commission is on top of that bullet proof cars’ case and in due course, we will update you. As you know, no responsible anti-graft agency will give you insight into what it is doing at the investigation stage. But we will let you know the outcome of our investigation very soon.” Uwujaren, however, said the EFCC recorded about 117 convictions in 2013.

He added: “As most of you are aware, the rate of conviction is the global benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of a law enforcement agency. It is my pleasure to announce to you that considerable progress was made by the commission in this area in 2013.

“In 2013, the commission charged a total of 533 cases to court and recorded 117 convictions. This conviction figure represents an improvement over the 105 conviction recorded in 2012.

“These figures indicate a steady progression in convictions return which is encouraging in the light of the well publicized encumbrances that the EFCC contends with in the prosecution of economic and financial crimes case.