The nation’s two leading anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), have collectively recovered assets worth over N277.685 billion and $105.966 million in 2024.
While the EFCC reclaimed 753 duplexes and secured 3,455 convictions, the ICPC tracked 1,500 projects nationwide and compelled Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to forfeit N10.8 billion in unspent funds.
The Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, disclosed these achievements during a press briefing organized by the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC) in Abuja yesterday.
Highlighting the progress, Mijinyawa noted that four former governors, three ex-ministers, and a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, are currently facing prosecution for financial crimes.
“In asset recovery, the EFCC reclaimed over N248 billion, $105 million, and 753 duplexes, achieving 3,455 convictions as of October 2024,” Mijinyawa stated. He described the agencies’ efforts as “unprecedented milestones” in the fight against corruption.
The EFCC, under its Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, implemented reforms, including the creation of new departments like Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC), restructuring of zonal offices, and launching EFCC 97.3 FM for public awareness. Internationally, the EFCC strengthened partnerships with agencies such as the FBI and Canadian Royal Mounted Police, recovering assets for foreign fraud victims.
Similarly, the ICPC recorded major strides by recovering N29.685 billion in cash, $966,900.83, and securing the forfeiture of N10.804 billion from MDAs. Through its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), the commission tracked 1,500 projects across the country.
The ICPC also processed 851 petitions, investigated 243 cases, with 63 cases in court and 13 convictions secured.
The ICPC’s international engagements culminated in Nigeria’s re-election to the GlobE Network Steering Committee, a global anti-corruption platform dedicated to enhancing collaboration among law enforcement agencies.
Mijinyawa further highlighted the efforts of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), which leveraged AI-driven innovations to improve financial intelligence. The NFIU trained Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) across West Africa, enhancing the region’s capacity to combat illicit financial flows.
In the war against drugs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 14,480 individuals, including 15 drug barons, and seized 2.37 million kilograms of illicit drugs.
The agency secured 2,867 convictions and provided rehabilitation for 6,655 individuals through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
These achievements underscore Nigeria’s commitment to combating corruption, financial crimes, and drug abuse at both national and international levels.
