take note of emboldened areas,


Hilary misinformed about EFCC –FG REALLY, ?

The declaration by the United States Secretary of State, Senator Hilary Clinton that Nigeria’ anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has derailed in the last two years has been labeled as misinformation by the Federal Government.

Clinton, in a recent visit to the country, had reiterated US concern on Nigeria’s fight against corruption and went ahead to score the EFCC low in it’s operations.
According to the Secretary of State, the agency has “fallen off in the last two years.”

But in a recent reaction yesterday by the FG through the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications (FMIC), a breakdown of the Agency’s achievements were made available to pressmen stating that Mrs. Clinton must have been ill-informed.
According to the data made available, “Mrs. Clinton may have been speaking from a point of misinformation because contrary to her belief, the Federal Government in concert with the established agencies of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been working overtly and covertly and advancing the anti-corruption crusade. Other agencies like SERVICOM, Due Process mechanism, Code of Conduct Bureau etc are also playing their parts.

[color=#006600]“the EFCC is handling hundreds of cases out of which there are 48 high profile ones. The statistics of the status of these high profile cases are as follows from 1999 to date: Number of investigations completed; 40, number of cases taken to court; 40, number of prosecution on-going; 37, number of convictions so far made; 5.[/color] , SO WHO MISINFORMED HER?

“From those cases over N50 billion naira worth of assets has been confiscated and forfeited to EFCC.
“We are in a new era and the methods adopted in fighting crime are based on the tenets of the rule of law and due process. Ultimately, the final verdict rests with the courts.

“In this regard, the anti corruption agencies have embraced the spirit of: No indiscriminate arrest of people without substantial allegations against them. This is in line with due process and the rule of law. No public condemnation of people before proper investigation to prove allegation made against them.

“Due regard and compliance with all court decisions and judgments. No fire brigade approach to War on Corruption. Pre-emptive measures are taken to establish and sustain institutions that can withstand corruption. Systematic approach to investigation, prosecution and sanctions taken against individuals.”
As for the ICPC, the statement said that the commission has over 201 cases being before them and the statistics read as follows: the total number of cases filed in court from 2001 till date is 191, while the total number of convictions is 20. Total No of persons charged to court from 1991 read 381.

FROM:
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2009/aug/20/newsbreak-20-08-2009-001.htm