Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission has disclosed that the collaboration between the
Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, has led to the
recovery of the sums of $314,000 (Three Hundred and Fourteen Thousand US
Dollars) and about N373,000,000 (Three Hundred and Seventy-three Million Naira)
from perpetrators of computer-related frauds.
Magu said while the sum of $314,000 had been recovered, the
sum of N373m had been traced to various commercial banks by the Lagos Zonal
office of the Commission. He also disclosed that the recent joint operations
coordinated by the Commission had yielded 28 arrests, adding that 14 suspects
had been charged and convicted.
The EFCC Chair further stated that “nine of the suspects are
currently undergoing trial, while five are still under investigations. Over 80
cases are still under investigation from the EFCC-FBI joint operations.”
Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, August
27, 2019, Magu, who spoke through Mohammed Rabo, Zonal Head, EFCC, Lagos, added
that, the Lagos zone of the Commission, prior to the collaborative efforts with
the FBI, had independently launched a sustained operation on perpetrators of
various computer-related frauds.
He said: “From 2018 to date, the EFCC had launched a
sustained operation on perpetrators of various computer-related frauds, which
resulted in over 200 arrests, 130 convictions and recovery of a large number of
exotic cars and properties suspected to have been acquired through the proceeds
of crime.
“We had independently launched intensive investigative
actions against the infamous Yahoo yahoo boys culminating in various strategic
raids and onslaught on their hideouts.
“Our efforts in this regard have recorded tremendous
successes leading to a number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions.”
Magu also called on the media to continue to lend its voice
to the fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes, saying that
“no one has the monopoly of knowledge of how the fight should be fought and
won.
“All the critical stakeholders, particularly the media, must
continue to collaborate and cooperate with us to make the fight a success.
“I urge you to continue to help us sensitize, mobilize and educate
all the critical stakeholders to continue to support the fight against economic
and financial crimes. We must collectively strive to achieve the Nigeria of our
dream.
“It is very critical for you to understand that you owe the
youth that social responsibility of awakening their consciousness to the
importance of a noble life devoid of crimes.”
He also reiterated that the Commission would leave no stone
unturned towards stamping out corruption and economic and financial crimes from
our society.
