EFCC to start fresh prosecution of Orji Kalu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to begin fresh prosecution of former Abia State governor, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu.

The chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdularasheed Bawa, said he is not bothered about threats to his life, adding that he is determined to prosecute many pending cases under trial.

Speaking on Thursday while addressing journalists during the weekly ministerial chat at the State House, Abuja, Bawa noted the challenges, prosecutions, and increasing cases of financial crimes since assumption of office 100 days ago are stifling.

He also clarified reports accredited to him concerning the involvement of a Minister in the laundering of about $37 million into real estate. He disclosed that he simply referred to an old case involving a former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Madueke.

The EFCC Chairman further disclosed that since his first 100 days in office, the agency has been working on several proactive strategies including a special control unit against money laundering, established particularly to address non-designated financial institutions including car dealers, real estate, jewellery dealers, among others.

According to Bawa, he is confident that when the unit is fully established, corruption will significantly decline in the country.

He then added that the agency is equally working towards the development of a biometric ownership database to address money laundering.

Bawa stated that most proceeds of crime are laundered through real estate and have become a huge challenge. He gives examples of property acquired, especially in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt where billions of naira are laundered through them.

He, however, declined to disclose actual perpetrators or the properties involved.

He stated that since his assumption, several recoveries have been made including N6 billion, $161 million, £13,000 pounds, €1,730 among others.

Internet fraudsters numbering 1,502 have also been apprehended between January to June 2021 and efforts are underway to file about 800 of them. A hundred cases will be filed in court.