By Akanimo Kufre
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in Uyo has solicited continued partnership with the media, civil society organizations (CSOs), and educational institutions to combat the menace of financial crime, particularly cyber-related crimes.
The Commission expressed interest in collaborating with the groups during a One-Day Capacity Building Workshop last Thursday in Uyo.
According to the Public Affairs Officer of the Uyo Command, ACE II Theresa Nwosu, civil society and the media in Nigeria have been integral to the EFCC’s success story in driving its strategic plans and bridging the gap between the Commission and the citizenry.
In his opening address, the Commission’s Zonal boss in Akwa Ibom State, ACE 1 Oshodi Johnson, urged workshop participants to impact their immediate community with the EFCC’s focus on fighting Nigeria’s common enemy: corruption.
“We cannot fight this battle alone. This awareness is crucial, and my chairman also sees it as an avenue to reach out to the larger society.
“Please disregard the stereotype; the EFCC is not an organization that persecutes. We are an intelligence-driven organization. I assure you that nobody we invite or arrest does not have questions to answer. However, everyone wants to hide under the cover of persecution. It should not be like that,” ACE 1 Johnson said.
Delivering papers at the capacity building workshop, DCE Ifeyinwa Azegbeobor, Head of the Legal and Prosecution Department, Uyo Directorate, deliberated on the challenges and issues of prosecuting financial crimes in Nigeria. She noted that delayed judicial process and obnoxious laws inhibit successful fight against financial crime.
ACE II Emeka Ukpai exposed cryptography, cryptocurrency fraud, and emerging financial crimes. Ukpai warned about the dangers of investment and Ponzi schemes, SIM swapping attacks, pump and dump schemes, terrorist financing, tax evasion, and other criminal manifestations of cybercrime. He however proposed caution in verification of URLs, enabling two-factor authentication and avoidance of too good offers.
From the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja, DCE Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity, highlighted the role of the media and CSOs in driving a preventive framework against financial crime in Nigeria. Representing Oyewale, ACE I Aisha Mohamed urged families to play a care and concern role in children’s development to abate crime.
However, the Commission decried the poor reception by school authorities in Akwa Ibom State towards the establishment of Integrity and Zero Tolerance Clubs to enlighten Akwa Ibom students about the ills of financial crime.
