Toba Owojaiye Reporting
The Dangote Group has issued a detailed statement in response to the recent visit by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to their Lagos headquarters. The statement highlighted the company’s perspective on the events and the challenges faced during the process.
In the statement made available to Truth Live News, the group emphasized that they received a letter from the EFCC on December 6, 2023, requesting a decade’s worth of foreign exchange data allocated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Dangote Group claimed to have sought clarification on the specific subsidiaries or companies the EFCC was interested in and requested additional time to compile the extensive documentation.
Despite their efforts to engage with the EFCC, the group asserted that the commission did not provide the requested clarification and denied their extension request, insisting on receiving the complete set of documents within a limited timeframe.
Dangote Group expressed its commitment to cooperating with the investigation and pledged to share the information in batches.
On January 4, 2024, the group delivered the first batch of documents to the EFCC. However, the officials allegedly refused to accept them, opting to visit Dangote Group’s offices directly. The statement suggested that this visit was conducted in a manner that appeared designed to cause embarrassment.
The group emphasized its commitment to being a law-abiding and ethical corporate citizen, highlighting its contribution to the national GDP, status as the largest private-sector employer, and significant presence on the Nigerian Exchange. Dangote Group affirmed its dedication to cooperating with the EFCC’s investigation and calls for understanding and patience from stakeholders.
Netizens have responded with diverse opinions. Some argue that Dangote Group, as a major employer, should be afforded more leeway, while others commend the EFCC, asserting that corruption can only be fought from the top.
As the controversy unfolds, stakeholders and shareholders await further developments, showing the complexity of balancing corporate accountability and law enforcement efforts in Nigeria.
