EFCC recovers N5bn from suspected oil subsidy thieves

By Joy BabaThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC)yesterday said it has recovered about N5billion (five billion naira) from persons and organisations indicted in the fuel subsidy scam. The agency’s Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, made this disclosure during a town hall meeting on Fuel Subsidy organised by Africa Network of Economic and Environment Justice, (ANEEJ) in collaboration with Justice for All, (J4A) Abuja. According to Uwujaren, the EFCC is currently prosecuting 13 different oil subsidy cases; while investigations are on to bring other indicted persons or companies to justice. He said investigation and prosecution of fuel subsidy cases have not been too easy for the commission, noting that they are resolute in their determination to ensure that all those cases are pushed to logical conclusion. While underlining the importance the Commission places on transparency and corruption issues in the oil sector, Uwujaren said the Commission presently has a full fledge section charged with investigation of oil subsidy matters and other extractive industries issues. Director ANEEJ, Mr, David Ugolor, in his address said the purpose of the town hall meeting was to review how the anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary have fared so far in the investigation and prosecution of indicted persons and companies in the fuel subsidy regime and to also agree on measures needed to be taken to put pressure on Federal Government to do more in bringing indicted persons and or companies to justice.