The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday that $117,000 cash was confiscated from the Lagos home of the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Olusola Amosu (retd.).
The air chief is among retired military officers being investigated by the EFCC for alleged involvement in the mismanagement of over $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase.
The Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren stated this on the sideline of the meeting between the commission and a coalition of civil society groups, led by Olanrewaju Suraj, in Lagos.
EFCC’s Deputy Director, Operations, Iliyasu Kwarbai, also said the anti-graft agency might have recovered around $5 million from “looters” but did not provide details.
Yesterday’s meeting was a follow up to Tuesday’s pro-EFCC protest in Abuja, where civil society organisations expressed support for the EFCC’s anti-corruption battle.
Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu also reiterated his position that some senior lawyers were scuttling the government’s anti-corruption drive.
He told the civil rights groups that “what is urgent now is to focus our attention on those areas which I consider as constituting stumbling blocks to successful prosecution of the war.
“While many lawyers have assisted the cause of the EFCC, there are a number of others that are working against efforts to tackle the Nigerian corruption problem.
“Many, including very senior lawyers, have continued to lend their skills and expertise to crooks to steal our money and, thereafter, help them to launder same. It’s time for us to say enough is enough.
“Since I assumed office three months ago, I have used every opportunity available to send the message that this fight is not for the EFCC alone.
“Other stakeholders must play crucial roles because the forces that we are trying to defeat are formidable and would spare no expense to ensure that we fail.
“In my estimation, one of the most important stakeholders in this crusade are the civil society organisations, because you are the conscience of the people.
“We must be bothered that our nation has been raped by politicians, who treat the treasury as their personal accounts.
“A nation where monies meant for the prosecution of the war against insurgency are shared by top military officers and their civilian accomplices.
“A country where roads, hospitals and other infrastructure are in appalling state of decay because the money that should have been used to improve them have been diverted into private pockets, is not the nation of our dreams.
“We have reached a state where we have to ask the crucial question, can we continue like this? No. Thankfully, we have elected a government that is sold on the fight against corruption.
“By the same token, these times call for vigilance by all in following cases of corruption under prosecution to ensure that we put everyone on their toes.
“This would ensure not only the speedy determination of such matters, but that there is fairness and equity in the process and outcomes”.
