The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday handed over the sum of N3.94 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, saying the funds were recovered from fraudulent dealings linked to officials within the state-owned oil firm.
The money, precisely N3,936,145,822, was presented at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja by the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda, on behalf of the agency’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
Hammajoda said the recovery was the outcome of what he described as “diligent investigation and professional uncovering of fraudulent engagements” involving some actors in the NNPC.
He reiterated the commission’s resolve to sustain its anti-corruption drive despite risks faced by its operatives.
“On behalf of the Executive Chairman, we will continue to put ourselves on the line to serve over 220 million Nigerians. Along the line, many of our colleagues have paid the price and others will still pay the price as we continue to do our work with courage and integrity,” he said.
He added, “On behalf of the EFCC, I present the sum of Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty Six Million, One Hundred and Forty Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Two Naira to you.”
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Receiving the funds, the Executive Vice President, Downstream at NNPC, Mumuni Dagazau, commended the anti-graft agency, describing the recovery as evidence of collaboration between public institutions.
“NNPC over the years has had its struggles and challenges and one thing we have always tried to do is correct the system,” Dagazau said.
“When the opportunity came for this recovery from your people that handled this, it was something I was really proud of. I was also happy that we brought it to EFCC to help and support us.”
He added that the company would continue to rely on the EFCC for support in addressing internal irregularities, describing the development as “a real commitment for us moving forward.”
