By Akeem Oduyoye
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Commision (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede has disclosed that the agency under his leadership has recovered at least N120 billion and secured , 600 convictions in six months.
Olukoyede made this disclosure while speaking with editors at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, on Tuesday, 23 April 2024,
“We have recovered close to 120 billion and secured over 1,600 convictions in six months,” the anti-sleaze boss said.
Olukoyede said he is so passionate about the need to move Nigeria forward and wipe out tears from the eyes of the people who are being swindled of their millions
“I’m so passionate about the need for us to move forward in this country. We need the EFCC to survive. There are so many victims that we have wiped tears off their eyes, people that have been swindled in their millions. Every day, we keep recovering money for victims.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has served a copy of the charge sheet of alleged fraud to the tune of N80bn against the immediate past governor and his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohamed.
This followed a Tuesday order by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja after Bello’s absence in court.
He was absent from court for his arraignment on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering to the tune of ₦80bn.
The judge relied on sections 384(4) and (5) of the Administrative and Criminal Justice Act 2015, directing the counsel to the immediate past governor to receive a copy of the charge.
The court held that where it had become impossible to effect personal service of a legal process on a defendant, such could be done through substituted means.
Justice Nwite further held that it was clear that the former governor failed to appear in court for his arraignment.