The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared its readiness to investigate constituency projects executed by senators across the country.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made this known during a meeting with the members of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, November 11, 2024.
Olukoyede, who lamented the effects of corruption on the general activities in Nigeria, said the EFCC would investigate government agencies which corruptly divert budgetary allocations to other things or embezzle the funds.
Olukoyede revealed that the EFCC had been granted access to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to monitor and track all disbursements and ensure proper utilisation.
The EFCC boss disclosed that the commission is currently investigating the extractive industry saying indicted persons will soon be charged to court.
He said: “We now have a relationship with the Accountant General’s office. We have been given access to the IPPIS. We want to monitor the releases and track where the money goes.
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“So, I am pleased to inform you, distinguished members of the Senate, that we will be monitoring your constituency projects. I hope you will cooperate with us.
“There will be no problem. We will monitor the allocation, and I believe you will also help us champion this cause.”
Speaking, the chairman of the committee, Senator Emmanuel Udende, said the Senate would increase the budget allocation of the EFCC to effectively carry out its anti-graft obligation.
Udende said: “When the EFCC chairman is telling you that he needs software that will tackle virtual and fraudulent cryptocurrency trading, valued at about N3.4 billion, then, you will understand why they need more funding.
“So, they really need a lot of money. What you can do is that through budgeting processing, you will be able to also increase their budget.”
The lawmaker added that the EFCC deserved a percentage of its recoveries to assist its operations just as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) also gets a certain percentage of its seizures.
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