The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Thursday, washed off its hands over renewed claims that it was holding onto the assets recovered from deposed Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
At a media briefing in Abuja, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, asserted that the commission had since July 10, 2010, handed over all the property and funds recovered from the former governor to the state government at an open ceremony performed by Farida Waziri, the immediate past chairman of the commission.
Wilson said the assets recovered from Alameyeseigha were handed over to then Governor Timipre Sylva, adding that there was nothing still left with the commission in that regard.
Wilson said: “I am sure some of you were witnesses in 2010, precisely July 10, 2010, when the assets recovered from Alamiyeseigha were handed over to the Bayelsa State government.
” Timipre Sylva, then governor of the state was on hand to receive the assets, which included Chelsea Hotel, Abuja from former chairman of EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri.
“If there are issues arising from the handling of the case, or any other case(s) for that matter, the Commission as a responsible corporate organization is willing to entertain such issues.”
The commission, however, warned that it would not succumb to any form of blackmail from any quarters over the Alam’s loot and expressed delight that Bayelsa State government had distanced itself from spurious attempts by individuals to blackmail it over the matter.
On the pension scam, which it has been investigating, the commission boasted that it had succeeded in forfeiting to the federal government the proceeds of fraud committed by the suspects.
Among the property seized and forfeited to the government is one linked to Shuaibu Teidi, former director, Pension Accounts, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, who is facing a 22-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, conspiracy to commit fraud and concealing the origin of stolen pension funds to the tune of N18.3 billion.
