EFCC Recovers N152bn, $386m Quizzes 22 Suspected Oil Thieves

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in continuation of the review of its operational activities for 2021 has disclosed that it recovered N152,088,698,751.64; $386,220,202.84; £1,182,519.75; €156,246.76; 1,723,310.00 Saudi Riyal; 1,900.00 South African Rand; and 1,400.00 Canadian Dollar between January and December, 2021.
A statement by the spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren said, the recovery also included a digital currency component with 5,36957319 Bitcoin and 0.09012 Ethereum.
According to the statement, the operations by the headquarters dominated the recoveries with N67,249,744,994.89, $375,662,223.59 and £1,151,539.75.
“It is closely followed by the Lagos Command which led the Naira recoveries with N70,315,611,260.52, $9,286,497.83 and £21,500.00.
“The Kaduna Zonal Command emerged third in terms of Naira recoveries with a total sum of N3,339,405,723.93 while the Ibadan Zonal Command took the same position in terms of Dollar recoveries to the tune of $387,385.00.”
The Executive Chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa explained that the monies include direct and indirect recoveries from the federal, state and local governments and corporate organisations and individuals (victims of crime) within the year under review.
He commended the personnel of the commission for the performance while urging them to redouble their efforts to ensure that perpetrators of economic and financial crimes are denied the benefit of the proceeds of crime.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have quizzed 21 suspected oil thieves.
The suspects were arrested along with a vessel: MT. TIS IV by the Nigerian Navy in connection with alleged illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The suspects, arrested by the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Soroh, Naval Base, Camp Porbeni, Yenagoa along Akassa Rivers, Bayelsa State, on December 6, 2021 and handed over to the EFCC on Friday, January 7, 2022, include: Levi Jonathan; Eze Kenneth; Enemari Peter James; Sunday Ereku; Emmanuel Ogbonna; Timi Amos; Fatai Kareem; Chuks Egbo, Tony Atawo and Saviour Martin.
Others are: Yoosu Alex; Isac Iboro; Bassey Okon; Kingsley Edet; Taye Poto; Saturday Sobere; Alfred Atiemie; Owei Ibolo; Felix Onome; Odus Osita, Etim Edet and Mudashird Tarheed.
Representative of Nigerian Navy, Navy Commander P. E Effah, who handed over the suspects and the vessel MT. TIS IV to the EFCC, said they were arrested for alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering activities.
At the time of arrest, the vessel was laden with about 700,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally sourced crude oil.
“Both the vessel and the suspects were remanded at Brass for safe keeping and preliminary investigations. However, today, we are handing over the vessel and crew members to the EFCC for proper investigation,” he said.
Representative of the EFCC, who took over the suspects and the vessel on behalf of the commission, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE Anthony Mark, thanked the Navy, and promised diligent investigation and possible prosecution of the suspects.