NIPOST, EFCC Seize Fake Currencies, Money Order worth N83Bn

Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intercepted fake financial transaction tools such as cheques, International Money Order and credit cards valued at N83 billion last year, according to Mr. Enoch Ogun, acting Postmaster General of the Federation (PMG).

Ogun, who received management of EFCC led by Mr. Ibrahim Magu, chairman of the anti-graft agency to the headquarters of NIPOST in Abuja said that other sensitive materials, including small arms, were also seized by NIPOST at its international mail sorting office in Lagos.

The PMG said the fake credit cards and cheques would have dented the image of Nigeria if they had passed the screening of NIPOST unnoticed.

He said, “We have been working together. In our major formations all over the country, EFCC officials are there; particularly, the International Mail Processing Centre.

“With the collaboration, last year, we were able to intercept about N83bn worth of financial transaction tools. These come in the form of cheques, International Money Order, credit cards, etc. With the scanning machines we have and the collaboration between NIPOST and EFCC, we were able to intercept these things.

“You can imagine what it would have been if those fake cheques and credit cards got to the public. The negative impact would be so much. The negative impact on our image in the international community is better imagined.”

In his remarks, Magu said he was at NIPOST to deepen the relationship of the EFCC with the postal system and to seek additional support for the EFCC.

The EFCC boss said, “We realise that in fighting corruption, every person is a stakeholder. We are here to thank you for the support so far given to us by NIPOST. We are also here to ask for more support  to be able to succeed in what we are doing.

“We need to create awareness about the evil of corruption both in the office and at homes. We need to tell our children at home about the evils of corruption because some people don’t even believe that corruption is wrong.

“We are here also to remind you that what we are doing is for everybody. It is for everybody. It is just by divine intervention that we happen to find ourselves in EFCC but it is on behalf of everybody that we are fighting corruption.”

Magu pledged to work with NIPOST in other areas in order to win the fight against corruption, including the use of stamps in the anti-corruption crusade.