The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports suggesting that its officials shared forfeited assets linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and his associates.
In a rebuttal statement issued on Wednesday, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, faulted an online publication alleging that the anti-graft agency
He said the notion of sharing the proceeds of forfeited assets was strange to the agency, stressing that the publication was made out of ignorance and mischief.
“No official of the Commission was, or has ever been involved in the “sharing” of any proceeds of forfeited assets. The notion of “sharing of proceeds of forfeited assets” is strange to the Commission,” the statement read.
“The sensational report which was promoted ostensibly to scandalise the agencies mentioned, betrays the author’s ignorance of the existing asset recovery and management framework.
“Both the EFCC Act, 2004 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, are unambiguous in terms of the accounts into which proceeds of forfeited assets are to be paid. There is no ‘platform’ for the ‘sharing of forfeited assets’; the notion itself being infantile.”
See the full statement below:
EFCC Officers Don’t “Share” Forfeited Funds
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, denounces as false, the report by the online news platform, Sahara Reporters, alleging that N54billion forfeited by some associates of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele was “shared” among certain ministers and aides of President Tinubu, in collaboration with EFCC officials”.
No official of the Commission was, or has ever been involved in the “sharing” of any proceeds of forfeited assets. The notion of “sharing of proceeds of forfeited assets” is strange to the Commission.
The sensational report which was promoted ostensibly to scandalise the agencies mentioned, betrays the author’s ignorance of the existing asset recovery and management framework. Both the EFCC Act, 2004 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, are unambiguous in terms of the accounts into which proceeds of forfeited assets are to be paid.
There is no “platform” for the “sharing of forfeited assets”; the notion itself being infantile. Otherwise, Sahara reporters would not have withheld information about when and how the sharing took place and who got what. The TRUTH is, it simply did not happen!
Dishing fiction to the public as news is the height of irresponsibility and EFCC will not tolerate any attempt to defame its hard-earned reputation.
The public is enjoined to trash the lie told by Sahara Reporters.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
August 21, 2024