Source:
Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde
| credits: File copy
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claims has secured the conviction of over 288 persons of internet fraud.
The EFCC also said four fugitives were extradited to the United States while another 234 cases were still being prosecuted.
The chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, stated this at the commission’s Academy in Karu-Abuja during the opening of a three-day conference with the theme: ‘Regional Cooperation Against Internet-based Transnational Fraud’ on Monday.
The conference is jointly organised by the EFCC and the Australian Federal Police.
Participants at the conference which ends on Wednesday, are drawn from Niger, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Guinea and Nigeria.
Lamorde put the counterfeit financial instruments seized by the EFCC in collaboration with the Nigeria Postal Service, at $24m, £858,937 and €1,195, 218,214 respectively.
The anti-graft body boss said, “We must collaborate to at least survive the onslaught and then fight back from the position of strength conferred by pooled resources, shared intelligence, joint operations and other efforts such as this.”
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, said Nigeria was leading the fight against cyber crime and other economic and financial crimes in West Africa and across the world.
The AGF hailed the Australian Police for collaborating with EFCC in organising the conference.
Adoke said, “While we cannot deny the involvement of some Nigerians in these unwholesome practices, we vehemently reject the tendency on the part of nationals of some countries even within ECOWAS sub-region to label Nigeria a 419 nation.”
The AGF added, “Our law enforcement agencies have recorded giant strides in the enforcement of these laws as evidenced by the increased arrest, prosecution and conviction of internet fraud related offences recorded monthly.”
The minister also reiterated the country’s commitment to the implementation of all United Nations conventions and protocols in the fight against transnational organised crime.
Special envoy of the Australian Prime Minister to West Africa, Ms. Joanna Hewitt, said she was pleased to attend the conference which, according to her, was indicative of Australia’s growing links with Nigeria in recent times.
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