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EFCC, French Police partner on graft probe

By Abosede Musari Abuja
22 January 2015   |   11:26 pm
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has again, announced partnership with another European Union member country, France, in the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases both in Nigeria and in France. This is the second partnership with reinforced with European countries in one week by the EFCC. The first was with the UK government…

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has again, announced partnership with another European Union member country, France, in the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases both in Nigeria and in France.

This is the second partnership with reinforced with European countries in one week by the EFCC. The first was with the UK government through the Metropolitan Police, whereby both countries agreed to deepen their partnership in investigating corrupt officials, who may want to escape to the United Kingdom. Chief Detective Inspector Jonathan Benson of the Metropolitan Police had stated their resolve to help EFCC with investigations in the UK.

At the same meeting, which was held in Abuja, EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, had disclosed that the commission, in collaboration with the UK Police was currently investigating serving and former state governors and ministers as well as former Heads of Service of the federation and members of the National Assembly.

As the commission waits out for the expiration of the immunity of some of the public officials, the EFCC has struck another deal with France, to ensure that no official indicted in the on-going investigation is able to escape to that country.

Announcing the partnership, which was struck at the EFCC headquarters yesterday in Abuja, Police Attaché to the French Embassy, Bonnichon Eric, who spoke through the Police Liaison Officer, Balima Rogei, pledged France’s cooperation in this regard. He stated that his government was willing to help Nigeria with the investigation and prosecution of any corrupt official that escapes to France. He also expressed expectation from Nigeria to help investigate anyone that commits economic crime in France and runs to Nigeria.

According to Lamorde, “this marks another milestone with our partners in the European Union community, and by extension, the law enforcement authority in France. The partnerships are expanding. We assure Nigerians that the fight against corruption is going on with full vigour.”

At the end of the meeting, Eric presented eight units of laptops to the EFCC on behalf of the embassy.

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