Prime Business Africa
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has commended the media and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria for their unwavering commitment to the fight against economic and financial crimes, especially internet fraud in Southwest.
Speaking at a one-day workshop for Journalists and CSOs in Ibadan, Olukoyede represented by the Acting Zonal Director, Ibadan Directorate of the EFCC, ACE 1 Hauwa Garba Ringim, applauded the CSOs and the media “for their invaluable contributions to the anti-corruption crusade”. He emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding the nation’s resources through unbiased and timely reportage of the Commission’s activities.
“The EFCC recognizes CSOs and the media as indispensable allies in the fight against corruption,” Olukoyede said, noting that the partnership has yielded meaningful results over the years. He assured the participants of the EFCC’s commitment to providing accurate and timely information to facilitate informed public engagement and oversight.
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Head of Legal and Prosecution Department, Ibadan Directorate, DCE Gift Iwebafa Odibo, expressed concern over the persistent security threats and risks faced by EFCC prosecutors during out-of-jurisdiction prosecutions, especially when handling high-profile or political exposed persons. She called for stiffer penalties for internet fraudsters to enhance deterrence order than community service.
The Head of Media and Publicity and the Spokesperson of the EFCC, Deputy Commander of EFCC, DCE Dele Oyewale, urged more collaborative efforts and periodical engagement from the CSOs and the media in spreading the anti-corruption crusade to the grassroots across the country.
CSE Alex Ogbole, Head of Digital Forensics, Lagos, highlighted the prevalence of investment and business scams among cryptocurrency fraud, advising Nigerians to flee from get-rich-quick businesses and investments that could make them part with their hard-earned financial resources.
Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, disclosed that the EFCC is working on a massive campaign against children’s involvement in cybercrime, urging parents to look after their children and know the friends they keep to avoid negative influence.
The workshop provided opportunities for participants to raise constructive observations, comments, and suggest solutions on how the EFCC can better collaborate with stakeholders to enlighten Nigerians about the importance of taking ownership of the fight against corruption.
