Ibrahim Magu, has lamented the difficulties being experienced in the
repatriation of stolen assets traced to foreign countries, making a
clarion call on international law enforcement agencies to assist the
agency in this regard.
“The process of repatriating monies stashed abroad has been very
frustrating and disappointing, yet we have done everything possible,
gone out of our way to encourage our sister agencies, but cooperation is
almost nil,” he said.
Magu expressed the concern on July 25, 2019 at the EFCC Head Office,
Jabi, Abuja, during a visit by Dr. Joe Abah, Country Director of DAI
Nigeria, an international development firm implementing programs
covering governance, in more than 100 countries worldwide.
He said: “We have been investigating a number of cases for over four
years working with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, National Crimes
Agency and even the Crown Prosecution Service, we have done everything
possible, gone out of our way to encourage our sister agencies, but
except there is a third party involved there is no cooperation.”
While noting that “the Swiss have been more cooperative”, Magu observed
that “the others never disclose their findings”, and are “very reluctant
to get the proceeds repatriated”.
“We are willing to go outside this country to give evidence, and to
share the intelligence that we have,” he stressed.
He further noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has remained unwavering
in his vision and mission of ensuring victory in the anti-corruption
crusade.
“The next level in the corruption fight is promising, there is political
will and we are going to be daring,” he said.
He further noted the importance of inter-agency collaboration between
the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Fraud
Offences Commission, ICPC, the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, and the
Fiscal Responsibility Commission, FRC, stressing that multi-agency
collaboration was key to winning the corruption war.
Noting that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA 2015 has
been “very helpful”, he opined that “majority of the people in the
Judiciary are not doing well, but a few of them are, and we use to have
dialogue with them to share our experience, and this has been very
helpful”.
He further revealed that from January till date, the EFCC has secured
about 550 convictions.
While commending the MacArthur Foundation and the DAI for their support
of the anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria, he called for more support
for the EFCC in all areas possible.
According to Abah, the visit was part of efforts aimed at further
supporting the anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria.
“We recognize the valuable work EFCC is doing to preventing,
investigating, prosecuting and combating financial and economic crimes,”
he said.