By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On February 3, 2017, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a special operation on a building allegedly belonging to a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Andrew Yakubu, in Kaduna.
The operation yielded the recovery of a staggering sum of $9.8 million and another sum of £74,000 cash.
The huge cash was hidden in a fire proof safe.
The surprise raid of the facility was sequel to an intelligence which the commission received about suspected proceeds of crime believed to be hidden in the slums of Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna.
On arrival at the facility, the caretaker of the house, one Bitrus Yakubu, a younger brother to Andrew Yakubu, disclosed that both the house and the safe where the money was found belonged to his brother, Andrew Yakubu.
When the safe was opened, it was discovered that it contained the sum of $9.8 million and another sum of £74,000.
On February 8, 2017, Mr Andrew Yakubu reported to the Commission’s Zonal office in Kano and made statement wherein he admitted ownership of the recovered money, claiming it was gift from unnamed persons.
He is currently assisting the investigation.
Adedapo Adesanya