7,340 cases still under investigation – EFCC

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Mohammed Umar Abba, Wednesday said that the
agency secured 865 convictions from a total of 1,305 cases it filed
in courts in 2020.

He said that a total of 7,340 cases were under investigation out
of the 10, 152 petitions received it received within the
period.

The EFCC acting Chair added that the commission also recorded
humongous cash recoveries and seizure of a significant number of
assets from persons indicted of corruption, following due legal
process.

Abba, who made the disclosure in his end-of-year message, also
thanked the staff for their dedication , hard work and sacrifice in
the discharge of their duties ,which contributed to the feat.

Describing the year under review as “unique for obvious
reasons”, Abba revealed that its projections anchored on a
strategic vision were greatly slowed down by the Covid-19
pandemic.

Abba said: “The lockdown enforced as part of measures to stem
the spread of the deadly virus precipitated a scale down of our
operations.

“For more than five months, activities were at the lowest ebb in
our 17-year history as an institution.

“Also, a reform process that witnessed a change in the
leadership of the Commission naturally created anxiety among
critical stakeholders.”

He, however, said that in spite of the overwhelming odds, the
commission was still able to achieve significant milestones across
the spectrum of its work.

Abba also expressed the desire to make the EFCC more effective
through expansion of its activities, strengthening existing
collaborations with other law enforcement agencies, building new
linkages with relevant stakeholders and improving on its processes
and procedures.

The EFCC boss, who reassured staff of management’s commitment to
their welfare at all times in order to ensure greater performance,
stated that “ As a dynamic and responsive organisation, we will
continually engage staff and review policies to motivate all for
greater performance.

“ I am confident that we can face the future together.

“My faith is premised on our collective strength to uphold the
oath which we took to rid Nigeria of corruption.

“No adversity can shake this faith, as we look to the future
with renewed zeal, holding aloft the blazing flame of
anti-corruption. “

He, therefore, also charged the staff to be more committed to
the anti-graft campaign, adding that “if the EFCC fails, the fight
against corruption in Nigeria is imperiled.”

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Mohammed Umar Abba, Wednesday said that the
agency secured 865 convictions from a total of 1,305 cases it filed
in courts in 2020.

He said that a total of 7,340 cases were under investigation out
of the 10, 152 petitions received it received within the
period.

The EFCC acting Chair added that the commission also recorded
humongous cash recoveries and seizure of a significant number of
assets from persons indicted of corruption, following due legal
process.

Abba, who made the disclosure in his end-of-year message, also
thanked the staff for their dedication , hard work and sacrifice in
the discharge of their duties ,which contributed to the feat.

Describing the year under review as “unique for obvious
reasons”, Abba revealed that its projections anchored on a
strategic vision were greatly slowed down by the Covid-19
pandemic.

Abba said: “The lockdown enforced as part of measures to stem
the spread of the deadly virus precipitated a scale down of our
operations.

“For more than five months, activities were at the lowest ebb in
our 17-year history as an institution.

“Also, a reform process that witnessed a change in the
leadership of the Commission naturally created anxiety among
critical stakeholders.”

He, however, said that in spite of the overwhelming odds, the
commission was still able to achieve significant milestones across
the spectrum of its work.

Abba also expressed the desire to make the EFCC more effective
through expansion of its activities, strengthening existing
collaborations with other law enforcement agencies, building new
linkages with relevant stakeholders and improving on its processes
and procedures.

The EFCC boss, who reassured staff of management’s commitment to
their welfare at all times in order to ensure greater performance,
stated that “ As a dynamic and responsive organisation, we will
continually engage staff and review policies to motivate all for
greater performance.

“ I am confident that we can face the future together.

“My faith is premised on our collective strength to uphold the
oath which we took to rid Nigeria of corruption.

“No adversity can shake this faith, as we look to the future
with renewed zeal, holding aloft the blazing flame of
anti-corruption. “

He, therefore, also charged the staff to be more committed to
the anti-graft campaign, adding that “if the EFCC fails, the fight
against corruption in Nigeria is imperiled.”