By Joy Baba-Yesufu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recorded 126 convictions in 2014 an improvement over the 117 convictions the Commission recorded in 2013, according to the Commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren.
Speaking on Tuesday at a media briefing in Enugu, Uwujaren pledged the EFCC’s determination to sustain the momentum with a view to achieving more convictions this year.
Uwujaren equally reiterated the Commission’s determination to vigorously prosecute all pending cases in court. “As many of you are aware, the Commission currently has many cases at various stages of prosecutions in court. In deed space and time will not permit me to list all the cases. But suffice is to say that the Commission remains committed to seeing these matters to logical conclusion,” he said.
He announced that the Commission eagerly looks forward to the Federal High Court, Benin ruling in the N25 billion case involving Michael Igbinedion, the younger brother to former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion, fixed for January 30.
The EFCC spokesman also emphasized the support the agency has been receiving from international law enforcement agencies and other partners in the fight against organized crime and corruption. He disclosed that the EFCC has signed over 12 Memoranda of Understanding with various law enforcement organizations covering the areas of training, intelligence sharing and joint operation.
Among the agencies are Australia Federal Police, The Global Fund, United States Federal Trade Commission, The World Bank, African Development Bank, West Australian Police, Higher Authority against Corruption and Related Offences (HALCIA) Niger Republic, British Serious Fraud Office, Economic Crimes Network (New Zealand) and the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Uwujaren equally said that the agency, in addition to its law enforcement activities, has lately stepped up public enlightenment campaign to mobilize the people to embrace the anti- graft war.
He disclosed that the Commission recently launched an Interfaith Anticorruption Preaching/Teaching Manuals. The Manuals are well researched publication that are to be used for teaching and preaching against corruption in churches and mosques nationwide.
In addition, he stated that the former Anti- Corruption Revolution Campaign, ANCOR, has been repackaged and re-launched. It is now known as the Anticorruption and Economic and Financial Crimes Support Network (ACE-Network).
The Head of Operations, Enugu zone, Mr. David Iloyanomon, in a welcome remark, charged the media to go a step further in educating the public on the efforts of the Commission in combating economic and financial crimes, and sensitize the people on the dangers of cyber crimes.
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