Tinubu determined to repatriate stolen wealth – AGF

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed the determination and concern of his administration to recover and repatriate the country’s stolen funds stashed away in foreign countries.

Speaking at the launching of new office complex of the Ilorin zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ilorin, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the present administration is determined to rid Nigeria of corruption.

Hinting that the recovery and repatriation of Nigeria stolen wealth was an issue of great concern to Tinubu’s administration, Fagbemi said, “the EFCC is expected to continue to lead the charge to trace, recover and facilitate the return of our stolen wealth.”

He disclosed that Tinubu planned to free Nigeria from the clutch of corruption, noting that the EFCC was pivotal to the actualization of the dream.

According to him: “The EFCC is pivotal in the Tinubu administration’s plan to remove impediments to accountability in governance institutions and strengthen mechanisms and platforms by which Nigerians can hold public officers to account.”

In realisation of the objective, he hinted the government’s plan to embark on reforms that would strengthen legal frameworks that would improve the EFCC’s enquiries and assets recovery efforts.

He said: “Beyond providing accommodation for the personnel of the commission, it is the contemplation of this administration to remove every institutional and legal obstacle encumbering the commission.”

He also reminded men of the commission of obligation to always conduct affairs of the anti-graft agency strictly in accordance with the Rule of Law.

“Myself and the executive chairman, Ola Olukoyede, are in accord on this, and I hope all personnel of the commission will appreciate the fact that corruption is best fought within the ambit of the law,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, charged his men to be unsparing in sanitising the business environment and support the country’s drive to attract Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, by tackling frauds of all hue, saying there won’t be excuses for non-performance.

Olukoyede reiterated commitment to refocus the anti-corruption war by adopting modalities capable of stimulating economic growth and development in the overall interests of Nigerians.

He described the opening of the ultra-modern Zonal Command’s office as “a dream come true”, describing it as a fulfilment of a promise he made few days back when he came on a familiarisation visit.

According to him, the EFCC Ilorin Command belonged to the second generation of the Zonal Commands established during the tenure of Ibrahim Magu.

According to him, the office established in 2019 began operation from a rented apartment a distance away from the new site, adding that the desire to have a more secured environment for operational and administrative works was what informed the new office.

The EFCC boss commended the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his contribution to the successful delivery of the project. He also acknowledged the support of the Presidency and the National Assembly in appropriating funds for the completion of the project.

He further stated that “the anti-corruption thrust of the present administration is backed with political will” and assured that “the EFCC is ready to carry on with the fight in accordance with the rule of law”.

The EFCC Chair while commending the Ilorin Zonal Command for the successes recorded particularly in the mining sector, urged officers of the commission to intensify efforts to ensure actualization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Bola Tinubu administration in the solid minerals sector.

Olukoyede charged his men for more commitment, dedication and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

In his goodwill message, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state said that the fight against corruption is a national campaign that we must all support, especially at institutional levels.

He said that his administration recently organized a three-day intensive training on Compliance with Anti-Corruption Policies and Financial Regulatory Frameworks to keep commissioners, permanent secretaries, and other top government officials abreast of key issues in public financial management, sustainability reporting, and tax frauds, among others.

He added, “erecting strong mechanisms to prevent the commission of crime, having the right legal framework and networks to checkmate corrupt practices, and striking the right balance between the public’s right to know of anti-corruption efforts of the government and actually recovering looted funds through strategic partnerships have been a bold feature of the President’s agenda to fight graft in a sustainable way.”

While congratulating the EFCC on the feat of having its Zonal Office in Ilorin, Abdulrazaq praised the Commission’s efforts in tackling all shades of financial crimes as a matter of national emergency for the good of all.

The new office complex, apart from providing office accommodation for all categories of staff, also has purpose-built interrogation rooms, holding facility for suspects, and canteen that serves the needs of both personnel and suspects in detention.