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EFCC, Bidders Disagree Over Car Auction

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has tackled the protesting bidders alleging irregularities in the car auctioning recently held in different locations across the country.

This development is coming on the heels of the conclusion of the exercise, which lasted between Monday, January 20 and Monday, January 27, 2025.

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Upon conclusion, bidders shared screenshots on various social media showing outrageous amounts as bids, leaving room for many of them to back out on some of the deals.

The bidding ranged from N1 billion to N330 billion for mid-range and averagely sophisticated Lexus jeeps and SUVs.

Reacting, one user who identified as Daniel Momoh on X.com shared his frustrations, saying, “Dear @officialEFCC, it is a pity that you and your auctioneers cheated us out of a legitimate process we engaged in yesterday where I won four different vehicles, namely: Toyota Venza – 2,670,000; Lexus ES350 – 2,000,000; Lexus IS250 – 2,520,000 and Toyota – Camry – 1,500,000.

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“I woke up this morning to see that my name has been replaced with another name, which blocked me from assessing the website via the account I opened before the bidding.”

Another user, who identified as #Kennylekel, wrote, “EFCC, the website for the official auction for the cars, suddenly brought out error 502 about 43 minutes to the end of the auction!! We hope it is not intentional to select your preferred bidders. I have been bidding since 11 am. Kindly respond.”

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One CIA on X.com also said, “This is just to fulfil all righteousness and to do some damage control. The cars listed here have been sold to their staff and cronies for very small sums. If you eventually buy it over from them, you’ll also be suspected and arrested for being a fraudster.”

“The auction you conducted yesterday was a sham! In a bid to rig the system, the incompetent auctioneers you engaged allowed a bid of N350,000,000,000 for a Lexus RX 350 Jeep. It’s not a glitch. It’s a deliberate attempt to gate-keep others from bidding,” a user who identifies as Baron El’Sama opined.

Also, a user on X.com said, “I’ve just seen magic happen right before my eyes. A C300 with lot number ADC/BEN/AU/98 that I bid on and won at N5,570,001 just vanished from the auction site. EFCC, una well done.”

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READ ALSO: ‘You’re Most Wicked; Police Better Thank You’ – Bobrisky Mocks EFCC After Anambra Incident

In his remark, a user on Facebook who identifies as Aromeh Joshua said, “EFCC auction: Checked two of the Lagos Auctioneers, and their website is (Resource Limit is Reached) temporarily unavailable. A few were hurriedly put together.”

Another user who wrote with name, Hafiz Bawa, on X.com wrote, “Dear @officialEFCC, I am reporting alleged fraudulent activity earlier today during the motor vehicle auction that raises serious concerns about fairness and integrity. It appears that the highest bidder and a “short bidder” colluded to manipulate the auction.

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“The highest bidder placed excessively high bids to inflate the price, knowing they would not pay. Under the auction terms, this allowed the short bidder, who had the second-highest bid, to win at an inflated price. This tactic disadvantaged legitimate bidders and exploited the rules, undermining the auction’s fairness. I urge an immediate investigation into this matter.”

“I have seen seven people come out here to accuse the @officialEFCC of committing fraud through this auction. I have yet to see anyone come out to say they actually got the car they bid for.  And yet, the institution isn’t addressing the crime that has been carried out. We need to do better,” one user who identifies as Tchalla Kingsman noted.

“Those that are alleging non-transparency are just being economical with the truth. The auction process was electronic and open bidding. There is no way of any extraneous influence or intervention. The allgation is unfounded, it can neither be supported by fact nor logic. Everybody that participated gave a remark that they were able to get; some even said they were outbid.”

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Reacting to the allegations in a telephone conversation, EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the agency has no hand in the process because the auction procedure was handed over to government-licenced auctioneers.

He maintained that some people could have bid outrageous money to frustrate the process, stressing that it might be deliberate sabotage.

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It is betweeen the auctioneers and the bidding public, it has nothing to do with us. We did not interfere in any of the processes at all,” he noted.

He further challenged the public to bring proof of compromise, adding that not even his close ones could get his influence to secure a vehicle in the auctioning process.

Recall that last week Monday, the commission listed over 850 cars forfeited to the Federal Government for auction across different locations in the country.

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READ ALSO: Court Approves EFCC’s Request To Freeze 24 Accounts Linked To Terrorism Financing

The cars, ranging from luxury vehicles to mid-range Toyota Camry, were recovered by the EFCC in the course of investigations into various financial crimes, including corruption, money laundering, and cybercrime.

EFCC explained that the auction was in line with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery & Management) Act, 2022.

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The auction, according to the statement, is scheduled to be held in various locations across the country, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, and will be executed by the EFCC in collaboration with appointed auctioneers.

According to the statement, the commission has called on interested members of the public to participate in the auction, promising that the process will be transparent and fair.

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Group Protests Alleged Sale Of Workers’ Housing Estate To NAF

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Bauchi State Concerned Citizens group has raised alarm over the alleged sale of 270 newly built housing units along Ningi-Kano Road, Bauchi, to the Nigerian Air Force.

Addressing the press, the group’s chairman, Comrade Aliyu Ladan, on Friday described the development as “an unfortunate and illegitimate move” that threatens the rights and welfare of Bauchi residents.

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“The houses were part of a 1,000-unit project initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to alleviate accommodation problems for workers.”

READ ALSO: NAF Debunks Fake Recruitment Advert, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

He said the units had already been allocated to residents through a due process managed by the facility manager.

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Ladan accused the Federal Ministry of Housing of negotiating with the Air Force to take over the estate, a move he described as “a complete violation of residents’ fundamental rights.”

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the decision could lead to unrest.

READ ALSO: NAF Airstrikes Kill Terrorists, Destroy Hideouts In Borno

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The group demanded the cancellation of the alleged sale and urged the government to protect residents’ rights.

Responding, State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Architect Nwamadu Herbert, stated that although negotiations are ongoing, no transfer has been made as directives are awaited from the Ministry’s headquarters.

He dismissed the protesters as “illegal occupants,” clarifying that the houses remain under the ministry’s custody pending directives from headquarters.

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Bauchi Gov To Corps Members: Advocate For National Development, Transformation

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Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has called on all the Narional Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to always advocate for national development and transformation in the country.

Mohammed, who made the call during the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ stream 1 corps members on Friday, also urged them to take the noble call with utmost seriousness and commit themselves to achieve the scheme’s objective of national unity and development.

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Represented by Mr Mohammed Umar, Head of Civil Service in the state, the governor assured the corps members that the people of the state appreciated and supported the goals and objectives of the NYSC scheme.

Therefore, we have decided to collaborate with you in every possible way to ensure the success of the Scheme in the State.

READ ALSO: NYSC Deploys 1,700 Corps Members To Bauchi State

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“To this end, we have completed the renovation of corps members’ hostels and built a brand new Multipurpose Hall in the camp.

“This is the first phase of the project and the second phase, which I assure would start very soon shall include, construction of staff accommodation, a clinic and other necessary facilities.

“I can assure you that my government would continue to do anything within the limit of our resources to make the corps members and staff comfortable during orientation exercises in the camp,” he said.

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Earlier, Mr Umoren Kufre, the state Coordinator of NYSC reminded the corps members that life in camp is highly regimented, adding that participants were expected to adhere to the orientation course timetable, NYSC Bye-laws, extant rules and other relevant policies.

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According to him, 1,107 corps members comprising 608 males and 499 females had been successfully registered before the commencement of the swearing in ceremony out of the 1,700 corps members posted to the state.

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He commended the state governor for his unwavering commitment to the realisation of the NYSC objectives in the state.

I am indeed happy for the complete renovation of corps members’ hostels at the NYSC permanent orientation camp and the construction of a brand new Multi-purpose Hall.

“There can be no better demonstration of commitment, love and fatherly care than what we are seeing in the camp now.

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“It is now clear for all to see that His Excellency is a great lover of the youths and particularly the corps members,” he said.

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Immigration Issues Travel Advisory To Nigerians On US Visas

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Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a travel advisory for Nigerians who currently hold or intend to apply for a US visa, highlighting strict warnings regarding recent developments related to the use of US visas.

The NIS’s Public Relations Officer, ACI Akimsola Akinlabi in Abuja on August 1, stated that the NIS and US mission in Abuja have reinforced their commitment to ensuring secure and efficient visa processes.

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According to Akinlabi, “The NIS has issued a travel advisory to Nigerians on the responsible use of US visas, reminding visa holders to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa applications and comply with US immigration laws.”

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The US government has expressed concerns regarding the misuse of US visas by Nigerians, and the NIS is working closely with the US Mission to address these issues.

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Nigerian students in the US are required to maintain an active study status to avoid visa cancellation and potential future eligibility issues.

US consular officers will deny tourist visa applications if they suspect that the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to secure US citizenship for the child.

READ ALSO:FG Gives Overstaying Foreigners Ultimatum To Regularise Visa

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The NIS and the US Mission in Abuja are collaborating to ensure that Nigeria is not subject to expanded visa restrictions.

This joint effort underscores the commitment of both countries to maintaining secure and transparent visa processes.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that our citizens comply with visa regulations and respect the laws of other countries,” said ACI Akinlabi.

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