The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), says they are currently investigating some former governors of the south-south region of Nigeria in matters of fraud and money laundering.
According to the South-South Zonal Head of the EFCC, Ishaq Salihu, those found wanting after the investigation would be charged appropriately.
Salihu who made the disclosure to journalists on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, also revealed that 50% of the one billion Naira recovered so far in the last 10 months was from politicians.
According to him, “In the last 10 months, we have upped the ante in the fight against graft in the South South zone with remarkable success.
“In 2015, we secured 18 convictions and recovered N420,922,599.38. This year, we have already secured 26 convictions and recovered one billion, sixty million, two hundred and fifteen thousand, two hundred and sixty-eight Naira, sixty kobo (N1,060,215,268.60) and Ninety One thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty US Dollars ($91,650) for both the federal government and individuals.”
He challenged journalists in the zone to partner with the EFCC in the fight against corruption.
“We invited you here to update you on our activities in the South South Zone of the Commission and to encourage you to use your medium to educate the public on the activities of criminals and fraudsters who are bent on destroying our nation and reaping where they have not sowed,” Salihu said.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu for their support and commitment to the anti-graft war.
In his words, “Let me state that our success would not have been possible without the unflinching support of President Muhammadu Buhari who provided the political will and the enabling environment for the fight against corruption to thrive. Also, the no-nonsense approach of the Ag. executive chairman, Ibrahim Magu, who read the riot act to staff once he got the mandate to lead the crusade.”
He also seized the opportunity to inform the media on the fraudulent activity of one Dr. Love Iwori Arugu, 53, a senior lecturer at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, and noted that though currently being prosecuted for offences bordering on issuance of dud cheque and obtaining by false pretenses, two new cases with similar ingredients involving her had confirmed Arugu as a serial offender.
“We want the public to be aware of this in order to prevent others from falling prey,” he stated.
The EFCC have continued to restate its commitment to fighting corruption saying it will do all it can to recover stolen assets and funds.