Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Spokesperson
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has explained the reason behind the freezing of the bank accounts of suspects being investigated by the commission.
In a statement on Monday issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, he stated that freezing of accounts suspected of being used for commission of financial crimes is a mandatory investigative step backed by law.
Here is the full statement:
Why EFCC Freezes Bank Accounts
In recent times, a lot of interest has been generated by the action of the Commission in freezing the accounts of suspects that were investigated or are currently being investigated. Some commentators have tended to ascribe vindictive motives to this action
In order to prevent misinformation, it is imperative to explain the reason behind the Commission’s actions in this regard.
Freezing of accounts suspected of being used for commission of financial crimes is a mandatory investigative step backed by law.
Indeed, Section 34 (1) of the EFCC Act 2004 empowers the Commission to freeze any account suspected of being used for financial crimes.
The section stipulates that, “the Chairman of the Commission or any officer authorized by him may, if satisfied that the money in the account of a person is made through the commission of an offence under this Act or any enactment specified under Section 6(2) (a)-(f) of this Act, apply to the Court ex-parte for power to issue or instruct a bank examiner or such other appropriate authority to freeze the account.”
Similar provision in the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2012 (as amended), also empowers the EFCC Chairman or his representatives to place a stop order on any account or transaction suspected to be involved in any crime.
The intendment of these provisions is to ensure that the Commission safeguards suspected proceeds of crime pending the completion …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
