Abuja, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pledged to review complaints from participants in its recent public auction of forfeited vehicles, following reports of technical glitches, website accessibility issues, and inflated bid prices.

The auction, conducted by accredited auctioneers on behalf of the EFCC, took place from January 20 to 27, 2025, and was part of the commission’s effort to dispose of assets seized from corruption, money laundering, and cybercrime cases. However, several participants took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the process.

Participants Report Technical Issues and Inflated Bids

Many bidders struggled to access the online auction platforms, while others reported being locked out after submitting bids. Some also raised concerns about unusually high bid prices, questioning the fairness and transparency of the process.

In response, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale acknowledged the concerns, stating:

“The complaints arising from the exercise are unfortunate. The online auction platform was intended to ensure seamless and transparent participation, but challenges such as over four million participants and unstable internet services affected the process.”

EFCC Awaits Auctioneers’ Report

Oyewale noted that while the EFCC monitored the auction, it did not have direct control over the process, as the sale was conducted by licensed auctioneers in line with the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, and the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

“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.”

He added that successful bidders who did not experience issues would receive their vehicles as scheduled.

Assurances of Fairness and Transparency

Despite the challenges, Oyewale reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to transparency, emphasizing that the commission’s primary goal was to ensure that recovered assets are sold fairly and that the nation gets value from the disposals.

“The commission’s only interest in the public auction is to ensure that the assets are disposed of in the most transparent manner. This cannot be compromised under any circumstance.”

The EFCC assured the public that legitimate complaints will be addressed, and corrective actions will be taken where necessary to prevent similar issues in future auctions.