The Convener, Conscientious Youth Empowerment Foundation, CYEF, Com. George Oyeyiola, has charged Nigerians especially youths to shun corruption as the arm of the law will always catch up with perpetrators.
Oyeyiola also hailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its efforts towards sanitizing the country and reducing grafts.
Oyeyiola spoke in Ilorin, on Tuesday, at the auctioning of seven cars by the EFCC, where he was an observer.
The vehicles are subjects of final forfeiture orders by the court in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The process started on Monday, December 19, 2022 with the display of the cars for public inspection at No 11, Catchment Road, Adjacent Noktel Hotel, GRA, Ilorin to provide opportunity for bidders to view and indicate interest in any car of their choice.
The exercise, which is a continuation of the auction taking place across the Commands of the Commission, was done in line with the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004; Public Procurement Act 2007 and the Proceeds of Crimes (Recovery and Management) Act 2022.
The auctioned vehicles are Lexus IS350 2007 model, Toyota Venza 2010 model, White coloured Mercedes Benz 2007 model, Gold Porche 2005 model, Red coloured Toyota Camry 2008 model, Grey coloured Honda Accord 2007 model and Ash coloured Toyota Camry 2009 model.
Speaking to newsmen after the auction, Oyeyiola also lauded the antigraft agency for being transparent, fair and just in the process.
He said the exercise will serve as deterrent to many others who are either engaged in fraud or tempted to.
Also, a representative of Civil Society Organisations, Musa Aliyu, described the process as “flawless and transparent” urging other Government Agencies to emulate it.
“It was transparent and the auctioneers gave equal opportunity to all to bid publicly. Nobody was intimidated.
“I must also commend the EFCC for the publicity because the turnout today was a clear indication of a well-publicized exercise”, he said.
In a remark before the auction, the Commander, Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, ACE II Michael Nzekwe, appealed to bidders to listen carefully to the auctioneers and comply with all stipulated guidelines for a seamless auction.
He reiterated the integrity of the arrangement as well as the Commission’s determination to ensure the exercise was transparent.
A Secretary of Auctioneers in Kwara State, Joshua Bamidele Afolayan, said, “I was here yesterday during the inspection and today we came back for the auction exercise and it was really well organized”.
He expressed satisfaction with the EFCC for handling the auction process in a most professional way and urged other Agencies of Government to emulate it.