Rachael Omidiji, Author at Tribune Online

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reacted to allegations by Nigerians on social media that the commission shortchanged some bidders who participated in the recent public auction of forfeited vehicles. In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC acknowledged complaints ranging from inaccessible auctioneer websites to bidders being locked out of the platforms after submitting offers. Many also raised concerns over exorbitant bid prices, casting doubts on the transparency of the exercise. According to the commission, poor internet service and an overwhelming number of participants contributed to the glitches that disrupted the process. The statement reads: "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 EFCC maintained that its decision to conduct an online auction was intended to ensure seamless participation for Nigerians, stating however that it was unfortunate that the execution fell short of expectations due to internet instability in parts of the country and the overwhelming traffic on the auction platforms. "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.' ALSO READ: Benue: Kwande axis declares interest in 2027 governorship race Meanwhile, Nigerians who participated in the vehicle auction exercise had trooped to social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), accusing the anti-graft agency of irregularities and failing to properly oversee the auction. While some of the participants alleged a lack of transparency and technical failures that prevented them from placing successful bids, many others speculated that the glitches were a deliberate attempt to manipulate the process in favour of certain buyers. One of the bidders, @sama_on_point wrote: "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 gatekeep others from bidding." 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. https://t.co/a59ZHYhnYC pic.twitter.com/mNBDQKUMJo — BARON EL'SAMA (@sama_on_point) January 28, 2025 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Another X user, @Chizytelu, who claimed to have participated in the e-auction platform, wrote: "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. @officialEFCC una well done." 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. @officialEFCC una well done. https://t.co/8X7diXEwz3 — section (@Chizytelu) January 27, 2025 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js However, the EFCC has promised to look into the process, upon receipt of a full report from the auctioneers, stating that this would ensure that no bidders who successfully won are shut-changed or shut out of the exercise. "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 EFCC's statement added. EFCC Press Statement: Auction of Vehicles: EFCC to Review Complaints Against Auctioneers 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… pic.twitter.com/4Z0Jaac40j — EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) January 30, 2025 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js NIGERIAN TRIBUNE