The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has sought the collective role of the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in tackling the emerging cybercrime fraud threatening the country’s financial security.
The EFCC boss noted that the landscape of crime in the world is rapidly evolving, with a dramatic shift from traditional schemes to sophisticated cyber-enabled fraud, which makes it difficult for the anti-graft commission alone to defeat.
Olukoyede spoke on Thursday during a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the commission for members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and CSOs in Kano.
The anti-graft boss described journalists and CSOs as major and critical drivers of change in the socio-economic landscape and reminded them of their greater role in strengthening the war against economic and financial crimes.
Olukoyede, who was represented by the EFCC Acting Zonal Director, Kano Zone, Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, explained that the sensitisation was intended to strengthen the capacity of participants in understanding cryptocurrency fraud and other emerging cyber and financial crimes in Nigeria.
“CSOs serve as the conscience of society and a vital bridge between the government and the citizenry, while journalists, on the other hand, wield the powerful pen that shapes public opinion, holds power accountable, and illuminates the dark corners where corruption often thrives.
“Together, you are indispensable allies in the fight to safeguard our economy and our collective future. The primary objective of this workshop is to provide crucial guidance on the intricacies of prosecuting financial crimes, the issues and challenges we face, and how to come together to find a better way forward to rid Nigeria of economic and financial crimes, including corruption.
“Another very important benefit we aim to achieve from this workshop is to build and deepen a stronger, more collaborative relationship between the EFCC and your esteemed organisations. Our fight against corruption is not a solo mission; it is a collective national endeavour that requires synergy, trust, and shared intelligence.
“In our contemporary world, the landscape of crime is rapidly evolving. We are witnessing a dramatic shift from traditional schemes to sophisticated cyber-enabled fraud. Therefore, a key segment of today’s engagement will be dedicated to enlightening you on the burgeoning threats of cryptocurrency fraud and other cybercriminal activities,” Olukoyede said.
On his part, the EFCC spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewole, said the commission is presently championing a preventive framework strategy, a dimensional approach to the fight against corruption.
Mr Oyewole revealed the establishment of a Fraud Risk Assessment Department entrusted with examining procurement processes at government MDAs — a pragmatic approach to preventing corruption.
The EFCC spokesperson, therefore, solicited media support through constant vigilance and interrogation of those driving corrupt practices and how they dispense public funds in their custody.
According to him, “Journalists need to develop a third eye. As media operatives and CSOs, we know those driving the corrupt practices. When we see something, we need to do something. As professionals, we need to put on our investigative skills, apart from vigilance.
“The media should be asking questions from politically exposed people to tell us what they do with public resources. The EFCC has the mandate to do what is right, but we cannot do it alone. The media and CSOs also need to start doing the right thing. There is a need to collaborate with journalists and CSOs to achieve meaningful results,” Oyewole noted.
