By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has auctioned the seven cars which are subjects of final forfeiture orders in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital.
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.
In his remarks before the auction, the Zonal 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 to ensure a seamless auction, reiterating the integrity of the arrangement as well as the Commission’s determination to ensure the exercise was transparent.
Speaking at the end of the auction, Saliu Emmanuel, who won three of the seven cars – Gold coloured Porche 2005 model, Toyota Venza 2010 model and Ash coloured Toyota Camry 2009 model at N6m, N5.2m and N3.65m respectively, said he was impressed with how the Commission conducted the exercise describing it as “transparent and open”.
Similarly, Agbetola Ismail, who won a White coloured Mercedes Benz 2007 model, expressed happiness for emerging one of the lucky winners in the auction, lauding the anti graft agency for making the process open and transparent.
The Secretary of Auctioneers in Kwara State Joshua Bamidele Afolayan, said: “I was here at the venue 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.
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 publicised exercise”, he noted.