The Kano zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) says it has recovered about #55 billion from petroleum marketers involved in diversion of products during the last fuel crisis in the country.
In the same vein, the agency disclosed that it has also recovered $622,200, and secured convictions of about 23 persons in the last ten months in the states under the zone.
Briefing journalists on the performance of the agency in the zone on Tuesday, Nnagbe Obon Itam, zonal head of operations stated that several landed property which includes 8 houses, 9 plots, and 3 trucks were also recovered.
According to Itam, N54 billion of the total amount recovered were made after the Agency`s concluded an investigation into complaints about diversion and fraudulent schemes brought against some fuel marketers operating under the zone.
He revealed that the money the Agency were recovered from marketers who collected fuel products, sold them, but refused to remit the monies back to the government.
“I consider it auspicious to brief you on the activities of the commission within the last 10 months particularly as it relates to the achievements and unrelenting zeal of the personnel of the zone in the fight against Economic and Financial Crimes including the albatross ‘corruption’.
“The operations of the north-west zone cover: Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states. I must from the onset appreciate the leadership drive and determination of the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, whose passion to be the difference has re-defined operations of the agency.
“I also salute the political will provided by Mr. President to fight corruption and all forms of fraudulent manifestations in the conduct of our national life. On a daily basis, hitherto ‘untouchable’ ‘sacred cows’ are being investigated and some undergoing prosecution” he noted.
Itam further disclosed that the agency has also recovered tax revenue worth several millions on behalf of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from businesses, particularly, in commercial city of Kano, within the period under review.
“I will also like to draw your attention gentlemen of the press to our proactive enlightenment campaigns within the zone to draw attention to what we all can do to reduce corruption by not joining the corruption chain.
“Our NYSC integrity club school campaign and essay competitions are on-going. Our media department is liaising with states in the Zone using NYSC outreach programmes to enlighten and foster the needed anti-corruption culture to build integrity among the citizens” Itam added.