EFCC Receives Interpol Global Platform
The International Police (Interpol) on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 extended its globalized information- 247 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The information platform, codenamed 1P-247, was extended to the EFCC in a brief ceremony attended by the Acting Executive Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, key officers of Interpol and some management staff of the EFCC.
The IP-24/7 is a global police communications system that connects law enforcement agencies in all the 194 member countries. It enables users to share sensitive and urgent police information with their counterparts around the globe, 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year.
With the extension of IP-247 to the EFCC, the Commission now has direct, quick access to 18 databases through which information about criminal activities across the world can be accessed.
Commissioner of Police, Interpol and Head, National Central Bureau, (NCB), G.B. Umar, while congratulating the EFCC and the Acting Executive Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu on the new milestone achieved by the Commission, said the extension of the platform was made possible by the Chairman’s passion and determination in the fight against financial crimes in Nigeria.
He described the platform as a great breakthrough in criminal investigation. According to him, with access to the Interpol platform, the EFCC can now manage the 18 database itself without going through the Interpol secretariat in Lyon, France.
In his response, Magu thanked the Interpol for extending IP-247 to the EFCC and its role in facilitating arrests and investigation of many high-profile corrupt individuals. “Things get done when you work with Interpol. We have been planning this since 2018 and I thank God it is happening today”, he said. He also expressed delight that the Platform will energize every enforcement initiative of the EFCC, stressing that, “enforcement is the greatest deterrent to corruption”.
It would be recalled that the EFCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Interpol on November 29. 2018 as part of collaboration aimed at tackling the menace of corruption in Nigeria.
Dele Oyewale,
Head, Media & Publicity
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Arewa House Inducts Magu Into PMB’s Hall of Fame
The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, was, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, inducted into the President Muhammadu Buhari Integrity Hall of Fame in recognition of his record of integrity, transparency and honesty in his duties.
The induction was done by Arewa House (Centre for Documentation and Research), Ahmadu Bello University, at the Corporate Headquarters of the EFCC, Abuja.
Director of the Centre, Dr. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, while justifying the choice of Magu for the honour, said that the EFCC’s boss has demonstrated courage, consistence and integrity in the discharge of his duties. He also stressed that, many corrupt Nigerians, that were considered untouchable in the past, had been brought to book. “We are impressed by the courage and integrity of Magu and the record-breaking results that the EFCC has garnered since he assumed his role in 2015”, he said.
Continuing, Aliyu explained that, “Arewa House is all about honesty, integrity, transparency and reputation which the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello exemplified.” He decried the havocs which corrupt practices have been causing the nation.
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In his response, Magu appreciated the Arewa House for the honour bestowed on him, saying that he felt humbled to be linked with the Integrity Hall of fame of President Muhammadu Buhari. “It is quite humbling to be found worthy of an induction into the Integrity Hall of Fame of our great President. President Muhamadu Buhari, no doubt, has established great reputation globally as an ardent and committed anti-corruption fighter. His appointment as First-ever African Union Anti-Corruption Fighter bears great credence to his commitment to the fight against corruption. I, therefore, consider it great honour to be inducted into such integrity realm by the Arewa House”, he said.
While dedicating the award to officers and men of the Commission, Magu promised that the EFCC would not relent in the pursuit of its core values. “Very recently, the EFCC made loud statements of its commitment to integrity by the action of its Sokoto Zonal Head, who declined a bribe offer of N100million. He could do this because of the core values of the EFCC that emphasise professionalism, courage and integrity. We will continue to ply this route and also sanction any officer that veers off the cherished values of the Commission.
He charged Nigerians to show more commitment to the anti-corruption fight, stressing that the fight is everybody’s fight. “As I always emphasise, this task is a public task. The public ownership of the fight against corruption will greatly build consciousness in every Nigerian that we can only make greater progress if we fight the menace together”
In his remarks, Secretary to the Commission, Ola Olukoyede called on civil societies and other institutions to emulate the Arewa House by joining and supporting the EFCC in the fight against corruption “so as to overpower the voices of those seeking to vitiate the efforts of the Commission.”
Dele Oyewale,
Head, Media & Publicity
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Court Jails Four Fraudsters For Internet Crimes
Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, jailed three internet fraudsters for criminal impersonation and possession of documents containing false pretence.
Similarly, Justice Mohammed Abubarkar of the same Federal High Court, on Wednesday, convicted Adekunle Kassim Sobayo of involvement in internet fraud. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment.
Other convicts: Tosin Simeon Abayomi, Ifedapo Ayeni and Daniel Nnorom, were found guilty of lone charges filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office.
They were awarded two months custodial sentence each.
While Abayomi and Ayeni were found guilty of criminal impersonation, Nnorom was convicted for being in possession of documents containing false pretences.
They had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges when read to them.
After pleading guilty to the charges, prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni prayed the court to convict them accordingly, hence their eventual conviction.
Justice Watilat also ordered Nnorom to restitute the sum of $830USD, as well as forfeit his Toyota Corolla car, one blue colour Nokia phone and black colour Iphone XX max to the Federal Government of Nigeria
Abayomi forfeited his Lexus RX 350 car and one Samsung Galaxy S9 to the government, and also restitute the sum of $100USD to his victim. Ayeni was also ordered to restitute N78, 792 to his victim.
In the same way, Sobayo was ordered to restitute the total sum of $2,390 USD, and forfeit his Iphone 6 to the government.
Dele Oyewale,
Head, Media & Publicity.
03/6/2020
