The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa has disclosed that the Commission recovered 80 houses and $153 million dollars from the former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The recoveries were also published in the April edition of the EFCC magazine which valued the houses as some of the choicest anywhere.
EFCC said that it may not be possible to apprehend Diezani considering she is out of Nigeria’s jurisdiction.
The Chairman stated that, “There are several cases surrounding Diezani’s case. I was part of that investigation, and we have done quite a lot. In one of the cases, we recovered $153 million; we have secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about #80 million. We have done quite a bit on that.
“The other cases as it relates to the $115 million INEC bribery is also ongoing across the federation. We are looking forward to the time we will, maybe have her in the country, and of course, review things and see what will happen going forward. The case has certainly not been abandoned.
When asked how he would tackle rich and powerful government officials, as Chairman of EFCC, Bawa responded that he was ready to quit the job if anyone tried to make him do what is illegal.
He added that he rose through the ranks as one of the pioneer staff of EFCC ands paid the price on the job even if he is young. .
“I am not going to pay allegiance to individuals in government,” he said. “I rose through the ranks. The only job I know after graduation is the EFCC which I joined in 2004. I rose through the ranks from an ordinary team member, to the first EFCC team leader from the regular staff of EFCC.
“I became a sectional head, became the zonal head in Ibadan, zonal head in Port Harcourt and zonal head in Lagos. Lagos is the biggest operational hub of EFCC with over 600 personnel.
“Port Harcourt is next to it in terms of complexity and staff strength. I happen to be the first EFCC regular staff to head three different zones before my appointment as the Chairman.“
Read also:
“Diezani Alison-Madueke is Free ! Now A Dominican Republic Top Diplomat
80 house from Diezani