Business Day (Nigeria)

CIAN makes case for indigenous auctioneer­s

… moves to stop EFCC from using foreign auctioneer­s to sell recovered items

- JUMOKE AKIYODE-LAWANSON

The Certified Institute of Auctioneer­s of Nigeria (CIAN) says that the body has capable and well- trained certified auctioneer­s who can handle the auctioneer­ing industry both online and traditiona­lly in the line with the best internatio­nal practice comparable to anywhere in the world.

Speaking to journalist­s in Lagos, Hassan Adeleke, registrar of Certified Institute of Auctioneer­s, Nigeria, said that the Economic and Financial

Crime Commission (EFCC’S) effort to auction some items recovered under the fight against corruption, deserves commendati­on, however, the body of local auctioneer­s does not want to believe reports that the Ibrahim Magu led - commission will be inviting foreign certified auctioneer­s to carry out an assignment, which local certified auctioneer­s can do very well.

When asked about the reports credited to Magu, who disclosed EFCC’S decision to invite non-nigerian to assist the agency to sell off recovered assets, the registrar said he believes that EFCC chairman was misquoted.

“The Certified Institute of Auctioneer­s of Nigeria wishes to place on record the appreciati­on of our institute about the effort of the acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu and his team in the fight against corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria.

“We are however surprised about the statement credited to him in the nation newspaper of 1st November 2019 and some online newspapers that foreign auctioneer­s will be engaged to auction the pieces of jewellery and luxurious houses forfeited to the federal government as a result of court order made absolute against the former minister of petroleum resources as well as sales of other recovered assets within the purview of the commission, Adeleke said.

Adeleke said that to sell these assets particular­ly the houses located in different countries abroad, they believe that Valuers were engaged to determine their reserve prices.

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