GIVE ACCOUNT OF FUNDS AND ASSETS RECOVERED.... BUHARI Orders Agencies

The need for transparency in his government has resulted in President Muhammad Buhari giving a marching orders to the EFCC and other agencies of government involved in the anti-corruption war.

The directive affects the CBN and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Following this development, President Buhari is reported to have asked for the real status of the various recovered monies in the anti-corruption drive of his administration.

This move by Buhari is believed to be in line with his promise to be accountable.

Thisday reports that as a result, the President has directed the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to provide a detailed submission on amount the recovered funds so far by the anti-graft agencies.

From available reports, the President is said to have passed the same directive to Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Mr Ekpo Nta and the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Babagana Monguno.

Apart from the funds, the agencies are also to present details of the assets so far seized and these include vehicles, jewelry’s and other valuables.

As at Friday, April 7, the reports state that the other agencies have complied except the EFCC.

It quoted a source as saying the directive followed the need to place a value on the total recoveries made by the government, whose anti-graft prosecutors have been accused of being unable to secure convictions, but have been quick to announce their seizures, even temporary ones to the public.

According to the source, the president needs the inventory to ensure transparency and accountability especially in the face of the controversies surrounding the recovered loots.

“In fact, in several yards across the country, vehicles seized by EFCC like Range Rovers, Jaguars, Prado jeeps, and expensive cars are decaying. The cars are allowed to rot, leading to massive waste".

“Also remember that certificates of occupancy seized from the home of an ex-governor were found in the market, where some EFCC officials were allegedly trying to sell them.

“The case is now with the police. Also at the Senate hearing for his confirmation, Magu was unable to put a figure or an estimate to the amount of monies, local and foreign currency, he has recovered so far, or provide a value to properties, cars and jewelries that have been seized,” the source added.

Femi Adesina, spokesperson of the president, said he was not aware of such directive from the president but added that Buhari had been receiving briefings since he returned from London.