The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Friday, presented a draft of N100 million recovered from defaulting mining companies in Akwa Ibom State to the Federal Ministry of Solid Mineral Development.
The Uyo Zonal Director of the EFCC, ACE I Oshodi Johnson, made the presentation on behalf of the agency’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to the Federal Mines Officer in charge of Akwa Ibom, Mr Emmanuel Effiong Bassey.
Oshodi said the funds were recovered from companies that failed to remit royalties to the government, stressing the EFCC’s commitment to transparency and accountability in asset recovery.
“We want the synergy between the Federal Ministries and the EFCC to grow stronger, especially in information sharing, so we can achieve more with better cooperation at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
This is just a tip of the iceberg; we will continue to recover every government kobo hanging anywhere,” he said.
Bassey commended the EFCC’s swift response to a petition that triggered the investigation, describing the mining sector as critical to economic stability.
“Without this sector, the country struggles. The synergy needs to be deepened, and with this step, we are hopeful that much more will come,” he said.
Oshodi also thanked the ministry for providing actionable intelligence that led to the recovery, assuring that the Commission would sustain collaboration with relevant agencies.
Meanwhile, operatives of the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate have arrested 47 suspected internet fraudsters in Edo State.
They were picked up on Friday, August 15, following credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent activities.
A pump-action rifle and live cartridges were recovered from one suspect, alongside six vehicles, mobile phones, and laptops.
The EFCC said all suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
