The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has been working and pushing hard to ensure that criminals do not take undue advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown to perpetrate crimes.

The Zonal Office disclosed that despite the challenges of lockdown and restrictions occasioned by the novel coronavirus, it has from January till date, secured 114 convictions which represent 70 percent of the entire convictions achieved in the last one year, an indication that the lockdown has not rendered the Agency redundant.

The Head, Ibadan Zonal Office, Mr Kanu Idagu, made the disclosure on Friday while addressing the Press in commemoration of the 2020 Democracy Day.

He said, “Within the said period, the Zone investigated 556 cases. We were able to secure 151 convictions out of the number, while 97 others are still in court. From July 2019 to June 2020, we recovered an aggregate sum of N250, 223, 451.15. Others in foreign currencies include $215, 142; CD325; €1,990. Also recovered are 72 vehicles and property worth billions of naira in locations spread across the Zone.”

Idagu explained that the remarkable achievements recorded in the period under review would largely be impossible without the tremendous support the Commission enjoys, from time to time, from the Federal Government, the EFCC Chairman and other stakeholders.

The EFCC Boss, however, lamented that the Commission was not immune to the impact of the Coronavirus, saying the social distancing measures introduced to curb the spread of the virus has affected the activities of the Commission in no small measure.

He noted that the measure has taken a toll on the Commission’s capacity to effect the arrest of suspects, as well as take them to court.

Idagu stated, “Even now that the country is gradually easing the lockdown, there are still hurdles we battle within the line of duties. For instance, we have had instances where the Correctional Centres would refuse accepting suspects despite the order of court to keep them in their custody pending the next adjourned date.”

The EFCC Boss revealed that notwithstanding the challenges of the lockdown, the Zone has been working and pushing hard to ensure that criminals do not take undue advantage of the situation.

“Almost 70 percent of the entire convictions recorded in the last one year took place in 2020. Equally, N122, 917, 676 of the N250, 223, 451.15 mentioned above was recovered between January and June 2020. Also under the period, $101,246, CD300, £500 and 21 vehicles were also recovered,” he added.(VON)