The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has handed over hundreds of recovered bed frames and mattresses to the Federal Ministry of Education for distribution to Unity Schools across the country, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to channeling recovered assets into public service.
The items, comprising 501 double-decker bed frames, 939 mattresses, and 12 wooden beds with mattresses, were officially transferred during a restitution ceremony held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Tunji Alausa said the initiative demonstrates the government’s resolve to convert assets recovered from criminal activities into resources that improve students’ welfare and learning conditions. He noted that the intervention aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to expanding access to quality education.
The minister added that the recovered items would enhance accommodation in federal colleges and other educational institutions. He also cited the government’s decision to transform a previously forfeited university facility into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, which has admitted over 3,000 students into programmes in engineering, applied sciences, nursing, health sciences and other disciplines.
Alausa commended EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede for strengthening public confidence in the anti-graft agency through sustained efforts against corruption, procurement fraud and cybercrime.
Earlier, Olukoyede disclosed that the items were recovered during Operation Eagle Flush, one of the commission’s largest cybercrime operations conducted towards the end of 2024. The operation led to the arrest of about 792 suspects, including foreign nationals, who were investigated, prosecuted, convicted and repatriated after serving their prison terms.
He explained that the restitution was carried out in line with the Proceeds of Crime Act, ensuring recovered assets are transparently deployed for national development.
According to the EFCC chairman, the commission has also supported the education sector by transferring the forfeited university facility now housing the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and by contributing recovered proceeds of crime as seed funding for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Olukoyede further revealed that about 1.4 million students have so far benefited from the student loan scheme through tuition payments and monthly upkeep allowances.
The handover was formalised with the signing of a Deed of Release by representatives of the EFCC and the Federal Ministry of Education, including the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan.
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