Amid complaints from Nigerians about its car auctions, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has committed to reviewing its auctioning procedures.
This position was outlined in a statement signed on Thursday by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, and obtained by SaharaReporters.
Nigerians have alleged foul play during the auctioning process, claiming that the commission had predetermined the winners of the bidding.
However, while commenting on the development, the EFCC said the volume of Nigerians wanting to access the online auctioning portal could be responsible for the glitches experienced during the process.
The commission insisted that “those who follow through the process without glitches and emerged winners will certainly be allocated their vehicles.”
“Without making excuses for the auctioneers, it is possible that the sheer number of participants in the exercise (over 4million) perhaps stretched the carrying capacity of the online facilities of the auctioneers, while unstable internet service in parts of the country exacerbated the challenge,” the statement read in part.
“Among the complaints received by the Commission were the inability of some citizens to access the websites of the auctioneers, being shut out from the platforms after submitting bids and outrageous bid prices, among others.”
Admitting that there were glitches in the process, the EFCC said, “Relevant Departments of the Commission monitored the exercise and can confirm that there were glitches. This observation was communicated to the auctioneers for remedial action.
“The Commission could, however, not directly intervene while the exercise was ongoing because the process had been assigned to duly accredited and licensed auctioneers in line with provisions of Sections 4(a)(b) of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 and Section 55 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.”
However, the commission stated that the complaints detract from its plan for online auctions.
“The complaints arising from the exercise are rather unfortunate and detracts from the plan of the Commission in settling for online auction which was designed to provide a platform for seamless and transparent participation by millions of Nigerians interested in purchasing the forfeited assets,” it said.
The Commission promised to ensure that complaints of Nigerians are reviewed, noting that it is “currently awaiting the report of the auctioneers and assures that genuine complaints by members of the public will be reviewed to ensure that no one is short-changed in the exercise.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the agency had been accused of rigging the auction of cars seized in corruption, money laundering, and other cases.
The allegations were made by Nigerian X users, who claim that the auction process was compromised.
The auction took place in various locations across the country including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.
