The acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu,Wednesday revealed that the EFCC has recovered about N409 billion and $69 million among others  in 2017, being proceeds from corrupt practices.

 Magu who who intearcting with Media Executive in Abuja said: ''....regardless of the challenges that we have faced and continue to face, I am happy to report that we are making progress. Many of you are aware of the achievements that we have recorded in the fight against corruption especially in the area of assets recovery. 

 ''Two days ago, we got the court to forfeit to the Nigerian Government a sum of N7.6billion which was hidden in a Nigerian bank by former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. 

 ''Two weeks earlier, another court issued a temporary forfeiture order to seize properties worth Twenty One Million, Three Hundred and Ninety Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($21,392,224) belonging to the same former minister. Those properties are awaiting final forfeiture.''

 He further added  that over a month ago, the Commission recovered over N329billion from a group of oil marketers for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. These are major recoveries from a sector of the economy. 

 ''To give a holistic picture of the aggressive drive to recover stolen wealth, I have the pleasure to report that the Commission between January and August 30, 2017 recorded the following monetary recoveries:

 *  Four Hundred and Nine Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Seven Hundred and Six Thousand, Six Hundred and  Eighty Six Naira, Seventy Five Kobo(N409, 270, 706,686.75);

 * Sixty Nine Million, Five Hundred and One Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Six Dollars, Sixty Seven Cents ($69, 501,156.67);

 * Two Hundred and Thirty One Thousand, One Hundred and Eighteen Pounds, Sixty Nine Shillings (Pounds 231,118.69;

 * Six Hundred and Ten Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Twenty Euros (Euro 610,816.20);

 * Four Hundred and Forty Three Thousand, Four Hundred Dirham (Dirham 443,400.00 and

  (Seventy Thousand, Five Hundred Saudi Riyal (SR70, 500.00)

 '' In the area of prosecution of cases in court, we are also making progress despite the antics of some persons accused of grand corruption to delay trial. Between January and August this year, EFCC recorded 137 convictions. The potentials for improvement are good as more cases are brought to conclusion in the remaining four months of the year''. He affirmed.

 Magu further sought the support of all stakeholders, including the media in the continued fight against corruption, stressing that the  anti-corruption campaign requires a concerted effort.