The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed media reports that a former Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, returned N1 billion to the Federal Government.

The commission’s spokesperson, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, gave the confirmation via SMS to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

Dikko, who headed the NCS between August 2009 and August 2015, was reportedly arrested by the EFCC in June over alleged diversion of N40 billion from the agency’s coffers.

He was said to have been released due to his poor health and was expected to return more money.

Uwujaren confirmed the seizure of a property belonging to the former customs boss in the Jabi District of Abuja, saying it was under investigation.

Media reports had identified the property as a mansion worth N2 billion and located at 1 Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi, Abuja.

The EFCC spokesperson also confirmed the release of ex-Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, who had been in the commission’s detention since Oct. 17.

He said that the former minister returned N100 million as reported and that the amount was being verified by the commission.

“He dropped his Nigerian and American passports, apart from being released to two sureties,’’ Uwujaren said.

Obanikoro submitted himself to the EFCC on Oct. 17 following accusations of a N4.7 billion fraud also linked to his two sons, Jide and Gbolahan. (NAN)