THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again frozen 413 accounts belonging to some former governors, a former Director of Finance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Pastor Timothy Akanni, and many high-profile accused persons either convicted or standing trial.
(http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/thumbnail.php?file=Waziri_EFCC_675915735.jpg&size=article_medium)
They have also lost about 320 milion shares in blue chip companies and many assets across the country.
The worth of the money in the 413 accounts and assets has been tentatively valued at about N1.5 trillion.
The latest freeze is different from the 203 posh mansions earlier seized from some of the affected suspects and convicts.
Investigation by The Nation revealed that the Assets Forfeiture Unit of the EFCC has just submitted a report to the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mrs. Farida Waziri.
The document obtained by our correspondent showed that out of the 413 frozen accounts, convicted former Managing Director/CEO of Oceanic Bank International has 175 accounts.
Trailing the ex-bank chief was a former Director of Finance of INEC, Pastor Timothy Akanni who has about 23 accounts traced to him.
Also, a former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, has eight accounts in Orlando, USA, with embargo placed on them by the Commission.
Others listed in the document are ex-Governor Lucky Igbinedion (convicted); ex-Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun (already convicted); Joshua Dariye; some ex-governors on trial like Ayodele Fayose; Orji Uzor Kalu; and Saminu Turaki.
Others are Emmanuel Nwude (Convicted); ex-CEO of Oceanic Bank International Cecilia Ibru; Chief Kenny Martins; ex-Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche; Alhaji Tukur Muazu; Chief Sonny Okocha; Dan Asabe Abdullahi; Evelyn Okeke; and Maria Ikebuna
According to the report titled, "Details of Forfeited Assets," 45 ex-governors and highly-placed Nigerians had forfeited many properties to the Commission.
The document reads in part: "Apart from 413 accounts frozen, some of the assets forfeited are 23 plots of land; four duplexes; five schools; two bakeries; two warehouses; one holiday resort; four hotels; three filling stations; three farms; 43 vehicles; 18 companies; 320 million worth of shares in blue chip companies.
"The assets were forfeited through summary convictions of the accused persons or through an interim forfeiture orders.
"We are still working on the assets and bank accounts of 16 ex-political office holders including some Ministers standing trial."
Contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Commission, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the frozen of the 413 accounts of 45 former public officials, and high-profile individuals and firms.
He said: "The efforts to verify and take possession of the forfeited assets fall within the responsibility of our Assets Forfeiture."
EFCC freezes 413 accts of ex-govs and high-profile suspects (http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/20164.html)