The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reported its most successful year to date in 2024, achieving unprecedented recoveries and securing a remarkable 4,111 convictions. The anti-graft agency disclosed that it recovered substantial sums in multiple currencies, including N364.6 billion, $214.5 million, £54,318.64, €31,265, CAD$2,990, and AUD$740.
According to the commission’s latest statistics, significant progress was made in tackling cases of advance fee fraud, money laundering, and cybercrime across its zonal directorates nationwide. Additional recoveries included CFA 7,821,375, UAE Dirham 170, Riyals 5,115, W73,000, 105 Yen, GH¢225, and RAND 50.
In a landmark achievement, the EFCC’s 2024 asset recoveries included the forfeiture of over 750 duplexes and apartments to the federal government, marking the largest single recovery in the agency’s history. A detailed breakdown of the recovered assets revealed 173 vehicles, N9.48 billion, $2.6 million, and £1,600. The commission also seized various cryptocurrencies, including 13.37 BTC ($572,992.86), 5.97886094 Ethereum ($13,353.06), 298.4770071 Green Satoshi tokens ($6), and 1,002.547631 USDT ($10,022.22), alongside N2.7 million in Tether (USDT TRC-20). Other forfeited items included 378 electronic devices, one factory, one hotel, two gold chains, 14 parcels of land, petroleum products, and 70 tons of unidentified solid minerals.
The EFCC highlighted that a portion of the recovered funds has been reinvested into national initiatives aimed at benefiting Nigerians. For instance, N50 billion was allocated to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to support students in completing their education and entering the workforce.
In terms of convictions, the commission secured 4,011 successful prosecutions in 2024. Lagos led with 685 convictions, followed by Enugu (516), Ibadan (501), Benin (412), and the EFCC headquarters (290). Other regions contributing significantly included Kaduna (273), Ilorin (230), Uyo (220), Port Harcourt (185), and Makurdi (161). Additional figures included Kano (148), Gombe (147), Abuja (140), Sokoto (108), and Maiduguri (95).
The EFCC also received 15,724 petitions during the year, with Lagos recording the highest number at 3,224, followed by the headquarters (1,576), Kaduna (1,456), Enugu (1,362), Kano (1,270), and Port Harcourt (1,185). The agency investigated 12,928 cases, with Lagos again leading at 2,454, followed by the headquarters (1,520), Benin (1,347), and Kaduna (940). A total of 5,083 cases were filed in various courts, with Ibadan and Lagos each filing 786 cases, followed by Enugu (545), Benin (482), and the headquarters (386).
The EFCC attributed its exceptional performance to the firmed dedication of its officers, robust management support, and continuous efforts to enhance the expertise and capacity of its prosecutors and judiciary. These achievements underscore the agency’s commitment to combating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
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