According to a recent interview with Daily Trust, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to investigate outgoing public officials after May 29th.
The chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, revealed that at least two government ministries are under investigation for fraudulent activities related to procurement processes, where double payments were made. Bawa did not disclose the names or number of officials who would be targeted, but he did mention that the double payments in one of the ministries amounted to over N4bn across 20 contracts.
“These were contracts that were done way back 2018, and then some group of people, so bold, came up with the same narration.
“They moved the documents from the file, forged them, and then of course in conspiracy of some civil servants, raised vouchers and pay. How can that happen if we have digitalised procurement processes?”. Bawa asked
Bawa further noted that, “It is on record that I am the first sitting EFCC chairman to go to court and testify, not once, not twice or three times. We now have some group of people that were paid, we know the people that are paying them, coming up with all sorts of gang-ups.
“We are following due process and the rule of law. The court had made a pronouncement, we have appealed that, and there is a stay of execution, what do you expect? We move on!”
He observed that over the past few months, the organization has made a greater effort than ever before to formalize the EFCC’s operational activities. He stated that the EFCC will persist in carrying out its positive actions, despite opposition from certain individuals.
“And God willing, come May and June, we are going to make some huge arrests and commence huge prosecutions of people.
“And for those people that are not leaving in May, whenever they are leaving, we will be waiting for them to ensure that justice is done,” Bawa added.
