The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday denied that the about N900 million mutilated naira notes, being subject of prosecution at the Federal High Court, Ibadan, kept in several boxes has not turned to paper.
According to the anti graft commission in statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the reports carried by some online media alleging that the said N900million has turned to paper was mischievous and misrepresentation of facts
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to several online reports alleging that about N900 million (Nine Hundred Million Naira) of mutilated naira notes, being subject of prosecution at the Federal High Court, Ibadan, and kept in several boxes in EFCC’s custody has turned to paper. “,it said.
EFCC added, “the report is very mischievous and a gross misrepresentation of facts of the matter. It is imperative to note that the case was reported to the EFCC by the CBN in 2015 and the parties involved are currently in court.”
“In the course of investigations, EFCC operatives visited the CBN office in Ibadan to inspect the said boxes and discovered that the monies had been tampered with. This discovery was what informed the EFCC’s involvement in the case, resulting in interrogation of suspects and subsequent prosecution. At no point were the boxes of the mutilated naira notes taken to the office of the EFCC.”
The Commission maintained in the statement that “at the last hearing, the Court mandated the EFCC to present them (the boxes) at the next hearing as evidence. This is a clear departure from the mischievous accounts of naysayers who erroneously misinterpreted the position of the court to claim that the boxes were tampered with by the EFCC!”
It however urged members of the public ” to ignore such disinformation, as it is only being spread to cause harm, unnecessary sensationalism and create doubt in the minds of citizens” and as well advised the Media ” to always seek clarifications on information before spreading fake news.”
