VP Shettima says EFCC recovered ₦500bn in assets and secured 7,000 convictions in two years under Tinubu. Funds now channelled into social programs

Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered assets worth over ₦500 billion and secured more than 7,000 convictions since the beginning of the Bola Tinubu administration in 2023.

Also read: EFCC uncovers undeclared $6,180, £53,415 cash from two passengers in Lagos Airport

He made the disclosure on Monday while declaring open the 7th edition of the EFCC-National Judicial Institute (NJI) capacity-building workshop for judges and justices, held in Abuja.

“This enabling environment is evident in the impact that has been made in the last two years,” Shettima said, representing President Tinubu at the event.

According to Shettima, President Tinubu’s policy of non-interference in the operations of anti-graft agencies has significantly strengthened their independence and ability to deliver results.

“We have prioritised public accountability by strengthening the anti-corruption agencies and giving them the needed independence to execute their statutory mandates.”

He added that the recovered funds are being reintegrated into the economy to fund key social investment programmes.

Highlighting the use of recovered assets, the Vice President disclosed that proceeds are being deployed to fund government initiatives such as the:

Student Loan Scheme
Consumer Credit Scheme

“Recovered proceeds of crime by the agency are being brought back into the economy to fund critical social investment programs,” he said.

Shettima also reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to **transparency and the rule of law, asserting that no individual or group is shielded from investigation or prosecution.

“There is no person or group who can accuse this administration of protecting political actors. We have allowed both the judiciary and the anti-corruption agencies to exercise their powers to restore sanity,” he stated.

The Vice President urged members of the judiciary to demonstrate patriotism and integrity in their rulings, noting that corruption affects all segments of society, including the legal system.

“There are no special roads, hospitals, or communities for judges — we all face the same risks from the effects of corruption,” Shettima said.

He praised ongoing improvements in the welfare and remuneration of judicial officers and pledged continued support for the judiciary within constitutional boundaries.

Concluding his remarks, Shettima called for unity across all arms of government to consolidate gains in the anti-corruption war.

Also read: EFCC investigates travellers with undeclared cash

“A Nigeria free of corruption is possible if we all commit to doing what is right and ensuring that those who deviate from the norm are held accountable,” he said.

Source: Read more at iretura.com