Car Auction Glitches: EFCC Links Poor Internet and High Turnout to Operational Challenges

Car Auction Glitches: EFCC Links Poor Internet and High Turnout to Operational Challenges

Car Auction Glitches: EFCC Links Poor Internet and High Turnout to Operational Challenges

In response to ongoing complaints regarding its car auction procedures, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to review its auctioning practices.

This information was conveyed in a statement issued on Thursday by Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity, and was received by SaharaReporters.

Members of the public have raised concerns about potential irregularities during the auctioning process, alleging that the commission may have predetermined the outcomes of the bidding.

In addressing these allegations, the EFCC indicated that the significant volume of Nigerians seeking access to the online auction portal might contribute to the technical difficulties encountered during the process.

The commission insisted that “those who follow through the process without glitches and emerged winners will certainly be allocated their vehicles.”

“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,” the statement read in part.

“Among the complaints received by the Commission were the inability of some citizens to access the websites of the auctioneers, being shut out from the platforms after submitting bids and outrageous bid prices, among others.”

Admitting that there were glitches in the process, the EFCC said, “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.”

However, the commission stated that the complaints detract from its plan for online auctions.

“The complaints arising from the exercise are rather unfortunate and detracts from the plan of the Commission in settling for online auction which was designed to provide a platform for seamless and transparent participation by millions of Nigerians interested in purchasing the forfeited assets,” it said.

The Commission promised to ensure that complaints of Nigerians are reviewed, noting that it 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.”

SaharaReporters previously reported that the agency has been accused of manipulating the auction of vehicles confiscated in connection with cases of corruption, money laundering, and other offenses.

These allegations were raised by users on Nigerian X, who assert that the integrity of the auction process was compromised. The auction was conducted in several locations throughout the country, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.

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