ABACHA’S LOOT: We Are Yet to Close Probe – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it was yet to close probe of $3billion loot allegedly traced to the late head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha.

efcc-logoThe agency also said it secured 117 convictions out of 533 cases in 2013. The EFCC also added that investigation of the N255millon bullet proof cars scam, involving a former minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, was still ongoing.

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren made the disclosures at a briefing in Abuja on February 14, 2014, Friday.

He said there was no way the commission could close probe of Abacha’s loot.

About $2.550billion out of $3billion had been so far recovered by the Federal Government from the late Abacha’s accounts and his family.

The breakdown is as follows: voluntary surrender ($750m), Switzerland ($570m), Jersey ($380m), UK ($150m), Luxembourg ($300m) and Liechtenstein ($400m).

Barely few months after the 13th year anniversary of his death, the Federal Government also recovered£22.5m (N6.18billion) loot which the late Abacha allegedly stashed in the Island of Jersey.

Another £20million is being investigated as part of the outstanding $450million.

On the N255millon bullet proof cars scam involving Oduah, the EFCC spokesman said investigating was in progress.

“I think the issue is not whether or not we are going to invite Oduah, we are in that matter.

“The commission is on top of that bullet proof cars’ case and in due course, we will update you. As you know, no responsible anti-graft agency will give you insight into what it is doing at the investigation stage. But we will let you know the outcome of our investigation very soon,” the spokesman said.

Mr. Uwujaren, however, said the EFCC recorded about 117 convictions in 2013.

“In 2013, the commission charged a total of 533 cases to court and recorded 117 convictions. This conviction figure represents an improvement over the 105 conviction recorded in 2012.

“These figures indicate a steady progression in convictions return which is encouraging in the light of the well publicized encumbrances that the EFCC contends with in the prosecution of economic and financial crimes case,” he concluded.