Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farida Waziri, has sounded a warning to all new and returning governors to steer clear of acts and intents geared towards money laundering and other economic crimes.
The EFCC boss reminded the forum that maintenance of foreign accounts is still constitutionally prohibited, stressing that the anti-graft agency is on the trail of looted funds kept in offshore accounts.
According to her, “we cannot continue to enrich the economies of other countries at our own expense. We must bring the money back. We cannot launder money to those economies and turn back to seek economic aid from them.
“Launderers must be reminded that once stolen assets are identified, they will be frozen. Even though it is difficult to get them back, you cannot enjoy them either,” she pointed out.
Waziri maintained that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on how the people approach governance and with it, the fight against corruption.
She underscored the importance of good governance saying the EFCC will always partner with any governor that demonstrates visible commitments to it.
“It is important to state at this stage that the EFCC is your partner in ensuring good governance. The EFCC is not a monster looking for trouble or creating problem for governors. However, it has work to do. Where good governance fails, the EFCC must intervene. That is where the partnership parts ways”, she said.
Waziri lamented that over 70 percent of corrupt practices in Nigeria take place in the public sector and tasked the governors to not only expose chairmen of local governments found wanting in the discharge of their functions but to always review their performance in office by asking themselves questions.
Meanwhile, operatives of the commission on Friday stormed the premises of The Market Magazine, publishers of ***Blueprint***, arresting nine management staff and taking away office equipment and machines belonging to the organisation.
The operatives who besieged the premises in a white coloured 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus at No 26, Mississippi Street, Maitama at about 11am launched an aggressive search of the offices.
The anti-graft agency in a statement yesterday explained that it raided the premises to execute a search warrant obtained over a case of fraud and forgery of government documents being investigated by the commission.
According to the statement, the EFCC officials were detailed to search the company’s premises following intelligence reports that more than 20 companies operating from the same premises were being used to defraud government agencies.
According to the report, some of the companies being used to defraud government and individuals include: Emm-why-Gee Nig Ltd, Abucco Ventures, Vibracall Ltd, Digital Inspirations Ltd, and Hamura Nig Ltd.
Others are Cavalet Publications Ltd, Catnose Ltd, Juma Mulitlinks Ltd, Banjula Integrated Ltd, Component Consult, Candy Land Resort Ltd, Bhaize Integrated Services Ltd, A.Y Nig Ltd, Bifocal Communications Ltd, among others.
The statement further said three of the listed companies were allegedly used to defraud a Federal Government agency of over N66 million in January even though it did not give details of the crime.
“During the search, computers and documents were retrieved from the premises for forensic analysis and further investigations while some officials of the companies were also picked for interrogation.
“Members of the public especially the media are therefore assured that the raid is purely in connection to a criminal investigation and so has nothing to do with gagging of the press as being insinuated.
“The press remains a formidable partner of the EFCC and indeed government in the effort to rid our nation of all forms of economic and financial crimes,” the statement added.
Source: Daily Independent
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