The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, disclosed that it released the funds and assets of the repatriated Diepreye Alamieyesegha to the Bayelsa State government in 2010.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said at a press conference in Abuja that the commission returned the assets valued at N3.1 billion to the State government in 2010 during the tenure of Timiprieye Sylva as governor. Also returned by the former chairman of the EFCC, Farida Waziri, on July 10, 2010 were $4441,000, 7,000 Euros and 2,000 Pounds.
“The commission acted professionally in the management and return of these assets in line with the order of the Federal High Court, Lagos which convicted the now pardoned former governor. It is therefore regrettable for anyone to want to make a media issue out of a settled matter. However, it is gratifying that the Bayelsa State government acted responsibly by distancing itself from the action and withdrawing the case filed in court,” Uwujaren said. According to him, the commission will not succumb to blackmail from anyone.
Also yesterday, Uwujaren said the commission would not tolerate attacks on its operatives in the discharge of their lawful duties.
The warning was necessitated by an unpleasant occurrence whereby a suspect, Tajudeen Oluwanishola, allegedly ran over an EFCC operative, Jonathan Barde with his Honda Accord car in Gbagada area of Lagos while trying to evade arrest.
He was later apprehended by a team of Rapid Response Squad, and EFCC said he would face the full wrath of the law. Barde was treated at the military hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos.
