EFCC should step up investigations on property,.

 

By Erhisohwode Assurance

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) commends the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the rigorous work it has embarked on in the investigation and review of ownership of several choice property dotting the nooks and cranny of Nigeria, especially in Abuja. We urge the commission to tighten all investigations linked to property ownership. We make the call in the light of recent reports revealing the extent of alleged stolen public monies being laundered through property.
A Stolen Asset Recovery Report published by the World Bank and the UNODC in 2014 has said most monies being used for the acquisition of land and building of property worldwide comes from proceeds of crime. To this end therefore, we reiterate our call on the federal government to tighten investigations related to property to use watertight evidence to bring such individuals who launder ill-gotten monies through property.
Several instances wherein ill-gotten wealth have been allegedly used to procure property abound. Past public servants are alleged to own mansions in Dubai put at a cost of N7.1 billion, and property dotting the nooks and crannies of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. There is also a case involving former Chief of Staff who allegedly spent the sum of N1.4billion allegedly stolen from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase a mansion in Abuja. For lack of thorough investigations, these properties have not been seized and confiscated. The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has only just asked for the freezing of humongous sums, $5.9m and N2, 421,953,522.78, belonging to public servants and their spouses to the federal government.
It is in the light of these overwhelming scenarios that we recommend that the Federal government exploit the fullest benefit of our anti-money-laundry laws, together with recent treaties Nigeria has just signed to wrest these property from those who have used stolen wealth to procure same. Several of those properties can be converted to public use, especially for the development of critical areas of our economy – Education, ICT, Agricultural and the Health sectors. ANEEJ is pleased that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, recently announced the creation of special courts for hearing and quick determination of cases related to money laundering and allied financial and corruption cases.

 

 

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