The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have reaffirmed their strategic partnership. On June 14, 2024, FBI Director Christopher Wray led a team of top officials to visit EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Wray praised the longstanding collaboration between the two agencies, emphasizing the need for continued cooperation in the face of shared threats.
“Thank you for your hospitality and for the partnership that exists between the FBI and the EFCC across a wide range of threats that we face together. We are looking forward to taking our partnership to higher levels to tackle threats affecting both Nigeria and the United States,” Wray stated.
Olukoyede expressed gratitude for the FBI’s support in building the EFCC’s capacity over the years.
“We value the partnership between the EFCC and the FBI. We have benefited from your manpower and capacity development programs, which have significantly enhanced the skills of our operatives,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of international cooperation, Olukoyede noted, “Some of the crimes we fight are borderless. Law enforcement agencies across the world must collaborate to challenge the activities of the bad guys effectively. Our activities must be borderless to ensure we can address these crimes.”
The EFCC chairman assured the FBI of the commission’s commitment to ongoing collaboration, particularly in combating cybercrime and sextortion.
“We are willing to develop ideas that benefit both agencies and ensure that issues like cybercrime and sextortion are prioritized,” Olukoyede said.
Olukoyede also used the meeting to outline his new policy directives for the EFCC, focusing on tackling public corruption, following the rule of law, and improving Nigeria’s international image.
“Upon my assumption of office, I promised to use the anti-corruption fight to stimulate the economy and ensure businesses in Nigeria play by the rules. We are also committed to following the rule of law and improving Nigeria’s image by vigorously pursuing cyber criminals,” he stated.
To achieve these goals, Olukoyede announced the creation of a new department within the EFCC, called Fraud Risk Assessment and Control.
“We will not only enforce but also look at prevention, which is within our mandate. This department will help tackle corruption at its source,” he explained.
He also highlighted innovations such as e-procurement to track project execution and the launch of an EFCC FM radio station to improve public awareness and communication.
“We are drumming up awareness through our public enlightenment programs to address misconceptions and inform the public about our activities,” Olukoyede added.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong political will to combat corruption, Olukoyede said, “The President’s commitment is strong against corruption and has been a significant motivation for us.”
The FBI delegation included officials Charles Smith Jnr, Sydney Schaur, Joshua James Moldt, William Michael Miller, Vanessa M. Tibbits, William B. Stevens, Leigha Ramson, Sofie Admire Sosenzweig, and Dr. Jim Oscar. The visit marks a renewed commitment to a robust partnership between the EFCC and FBI in the fight against cybercrime and corruption.