Nigeria and Ghana Agree to Tackle Transborder Economic, Financial Crimes

 

The Nigerian government and Ghana have expressed their commitment to a fight to combating trans-border organised crimes.

 

The two countries made the commitment through their anti-graft agencies.

 

In the memorandum of understanding, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, and Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office, EOCO, have agreed to collaborate in tackling trans-border economic and financial crimes, especially cybercrimes.

 

The acting Chairman of EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol in Abuja described the signing of the MoU as the climax of a series of engagements between the two agencies in the last few days.

 

“I want to believe this MoU is not going to be only on paper; we are going to operationalise it, and the operationalisation is going to start today”.

 

Chukkol also expressed the belief that the MoU will signal a warning to fraudsters in both jurisdictions that it will no longer be business as usual.

 

 “I hope as you go back to your country, some of the things you see, the positives, you will go and put into use.

 

And, if there is any need to talk to us or seek our assistance in anything, especially in terms of asset forfeiture, in terms of cybercrime investigation and prosecution, we are always ready to partner with you. We have no choice because crimes are transnational today and this engagement, I think, will be a warning that crime does not pay.

 

Wherever you are, we are going to use our slogan which says; we will get you anywhere, anytime.” Chukkol said.

The Executive Director, of the Economic and Organized Crime Office of Ghana, Maame YaaTiwaa Addo-Daquah said, she was overwhelmed by the warm reception, programmes and presentations from the officers of the EFCC.

 

She assured the Commission that its effort will not be in vain.

 

“I can say, the EFCC will be proud of us when you hear that the EOCO has also moved from the way we do things to a better way of doing it.

 

“I am very hopeful that all your effort will not be in vain. We have to operationalise this MoU because, if we don’t, it means we have wasted everybody’s time, and I assure you that when we go back if there is anything we need some clarification or explanation, we will not hesitate to reach out to you”. She stated.

 

Officials of EOCO were in Nigeria on a five-day study visit to the EFCC.

 

Dominica Nwabufo