EFCC secures 117 convictions in 2013, says Spokesman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had secured 117 convictions out of 533 cases it filed in courts in 2013.

Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that the figure was an improvement over the 105 convictions in 2012.

“All these convictions we got, were through cases handled by the Legal and Prosecution Department of the EFCC.

“This has buoyed the determination of the leadership of the commission to strengthen the department and de-emphasise the use of private solicitors for the prosecution of EFCC cases.

“Going forward, we are encouraged that the performance for 2014 should be better than what was witnessed in 2013.

"This optimism is informed by the new practice directive by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), on the expeditious handling of corruption cases in court.”

Uwujaren, however, appealed to stakeholders in the justice system to cooperate with the EFCC to achieve the objective of the CJN's directive.

The EFCC spokesman said the commission would ensure that its cases were prosecuted to logical conclusion within the ambits of rule of law.

(NAN)