THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, disclosed that it recorded a total of 126 convictions in 2014 on various corruption cases pending in various courts across the country.

Briefing newsmen in the commission’s zonal office in Enugu on Tuesday, the Head of Media/Publicity of the anti-graft body, Wilson Uwujaren, said the figure was higher than 117 convictions it had the previous year.

Uwajaren described it as “a feat in the light of the shenanigans that goes on in the Nigerian Judicial system.”

“This, to all intent and purposes, is a healthy progression that should be applauded. Obviously, there is something that the EFCC under Lamorde, has got right with investigation and prosecution of cases, and the commission is poised to sustain this momentum, with a view to recording more convictions this year,” he added.

Speaking on its current efforts, he said the commission remained committed to ensure that cases pending in court were disposed of as quickly as possible.

According to him, “God willing, and if the strike by the judicial workers permits, the commission is expecting judgement in the N25 billion money laundering case instituted against Michael Igbinedion, younger brother to former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion and one Eboigbodin, on Friday, January 30.

“In the same vein, a Federal High Court in Abuja, is also expected to rule in the extradition proceeding initiated against Emmanuel Okoyomon, former managing director of the Nigerian Security Minting and Printing Company.”

While noting that the challenges of finance, frivolous applications by defence councils were hampering the activities of the anti-graft agency, Uwujaren disclosed that the commission was benefiting from global partnership against corruption.


. http://www.tribune.com.ng/news/news-headlines/item/27857-efcc-records-126-convictions-in-2014

What about prosecution?