The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has acknowledged the technical issues that marred the recent public auction of forfeited vehicles, conducted by accredited auctioneers on its behalf.
The commission expressed concern over the “unsavory experiences” of some Nigerians who participated in the auction, citing complaints about inaccessible auction websites, being shut out after submitting bids, and outrageous bid prices.
The EFCC monitored the exercise and confirmed that there were glitches, which were communicated to the auctioneers for remedial action.
The commission in a statement on Thursday through it’s spokesman Dele Oyewale said the commission couldn’t intervene directly due to the auction process being handled by licensed auctioneers, as per the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, and the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
Read the full statement below;
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, notes with concern the reported unsavoury experiences of some Nigerians who participated in the just concluded public auction of forfeited vehicles conducted by accredited auctioneers on behalf of the Commission.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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 Commission 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. Those who follow through the process without glitches and emerged winners will certainly be allocated their vehicles.
“The Commission’s only interest in the public auction is to ensure that the assets are disposed of in the most transparent manner and the nation gets value for the assets. This cannot be compromised under any circumstance.”
