Kehinde Fajobi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have collectively recovered over ₦277.685 billion and $105.966 million in 2024.
The Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, disclosed the figures during a press conference by the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC) in Abuja on Monday.
Mijinyawa noted that the two agencies secured a combined total of 3,468 convictions, describing the achievement as an “unprecedented milestone” in the fight against corruption.
“In asset recovery, the EFCC reclaimed over ₦248 billion, $105 million, and 753 duplexes, while recording an impressive 3,455 convictions as of October 2024,” Mijinyawa said.
He added that the EFCC, under Chairman Ola Olukoyede, had implemented reforms, including the establishment of the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) department, restructuring zonal offices, and launching EFCC 97.3FM for public education.
The commission, he said, achieved 35 convictions through its special task force against naira abuse and strengthened international partnerships with organisations like the FBI and Canadian Royal Mounted Police.
Highlighting ongoing trials, Mijinyawa said, “The EFCC’s prosecution of former governors, three ex-ministers, and a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, for money laundering and other financial crimes reflects the commission’s pursuit of justice and accountability.”
On the ICPC’s achievements, Mijinyawa revealed that the agency recovered ₦29.685 billion, $966,900.83, and an additional ₦10.804 billion in unspent funds forfeited by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“Through its Constituency and Executive Projects’ Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), the ICPC tracked 1,500 projects nationwide,” Mijinyawa said.
He also noted that the agency investigated 243 cases, with 63 currently in court, and secured 13 convictions this year.
Internationally, Nigeria’s commitment to anti-corruption efforts led to its re-election to the GlobE Network Steering Committee, a global anti-corruption network established to improve cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) also made strides, using AI innovations to enhance financial intelligence reporting accuracy and partnering with global entities such as the UK Treasury, GIABA, and the Global Centre on Cooperative Security.
Mijinyawa added, “The NFIU implemented the FATF Action Plan through workshops on mutual evaluations, beneficial ownership transparency, and judicial capacity-building, aiming to delist Nigeria from the FATF grey list by 2025.”
In the war against drug abuse, Mijinyawa highlighted the achievements of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The agency arrested 14,480 individuals, including 15 drug barons, seized 2.37 million kilograms of illicit drugs, and secured 2,867 convictions.
“Under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, the NDLEA sensitised over 1.3 million people through 3,064 activities and provided counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation for 6,655 individuals,” Mijinyawa said.
He commended the efforts of all agencies, describing their achievements as crucial milestones in Nigeria’s fight against corruption, financial crimes, and drug abuse.