- Over 22 Nigerians with properties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are currently under the watchful eyes of the EFCC
- Assets of some of those already under watch could be seized when EFCC finishes analyzing the data in its possession
- Those under watch include some politically exposed persons and business people
Anti-corruption body Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has acquired full list of names and other information of Nigerians who have questionable properties in the UAE.
The Commission received a database of assets which are suspected to have been acquired with looted funds by former and others close to political power.
The Nation reports that the EFCC is presently analysing the data and funds linked to those under probe may be seized.
The Commission has also placed over 22 politically exposed persons and businessmen in Dubai under watch as a result of the information it has received.
An unnamed EFCC source said: “In line with its Beneficial Ownership laws, we have already a database of Nigerians with assets in the United Arab Emirates, including properties of some high-profile Nigerians under investigation.
“We are already studying the database in line with our ongoing investigation and profiling. We have a long list of some politically exposed persons and businessmen under probe.
“The signing of the agreements between Nigeria and the UAE by President Muhammadu Buhari last week has opened a robust vista which will hasten our identification and attachment of the suspicious assets.
“It is time to set out for work. You will recall that over N1.34 trillion was stolen by public officers in seven years. We will trace some of these funds and the assets acquired with them in UAE.”
The source added: “We will not release the list now but already we have initiated action on some suspects.
“Actually, there is no hiding place for any looter from Nigeria in UAE again. In May 2016 at the Anti-corruption Summit in London, the UAE joined the league of 29 nations which will share where lists of beneficial owners.
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