EFCC, Australian federal police signal MoU to strengthen battle towards cybercrime

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in tackling cybercrime and different transnational monetary crimes.

EFCC Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, mentioned in a press assertion in Abuja, that the settlement was signed on Wednesday, on the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.

He mentioned whereas talking durinf the signing, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, counseled the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and officers of the Commission for the cordial relationship and cooperation with the Australian Federal Police over time.

“Chairman, I want to say a big thank you to you, your leadership, your agency and your amazing officers who have worked closely with the Australian Federal Police,” she mentioned.

She famous that Nigeria and Australia have sustained cooperation on a number of points, by way of change of know-how, intelligence {and professional} recommendation, including that the partnership had contributed positively to the bilateral relationship between each nations.

According to the envoy, cybercrime stays a world concern requiring concerted efforts, noting that Nigeria performs a big management function within the area.

“This is an area of interest and importance, not only to Australia and Nigeria but also globally. Cyber matters are affecting many countries, and Nigeria is one of those leading countries in the region. Other African countries look to Nigeria for leadership in this aspect. I commend you for your efforts,” she added.

Also talking, the Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Sandra Booth, described the MoU as an essential step in direction of deepening the present relationship between each establishments.

She disclosed that the partnership between the EFCC and AFP dated again to 2004 and had produced important ends in a number of areas, together with delicate investigations, cyber-enabled crimes, enterprise e mail compromise investigations, monetary investigations and scams.

“We are very grateful for this relationship that we have with you. I look forward to the new MoU providing new opportunities for us to work together, open new horizons, strengthen our relationship and promote professional development between our organisations,” she mentioned.

Booth expressed confidence that the settlement would offer a clearer framework for sustained cooperation, mutual assist and the continued change of experience between the 2 businesses.

“We are very excited about today. It takes us to what we believe is the next step in our relationship. Relationships go through evolution, and I am very proud to be able to sign this document with you, Chairman, which articulates what the future looks like,” she mentioned.

In his remarks, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, thanked the Australian Government and the Australian Federal Police for locating Nigeria and the Commission worthy of the partnership.

He mentioned the Commission had at all times remained open to worldwide collaboration, significantly within the investigation and prosecution of economic crimes, given the more and more transnational nature of financial and monetary crimes.

“We have discovered that financial crimes take a transnational dimension. What affects Nigeria inevitably affects Australia. That is why countries have to come together because criminals always work together,” he mentioned.

Olukoyede confused that the interconnected nature of legal networks made cooperation amongst legislation enforcement businesses throughout jurisdictions crucial.

“There is a network of criminals, and for us to fight this network, we must also network as countries that are serious about the fight against such crimes. That is why we are always open to this kind of collaboration,” he mentioned.

He defined that the MoU was meant to formalise the longstanding relationship between the 2 businesses and set up a framework for extra structured cooperation.

According to Olukoyede, the framework would cowl coaching and manpower growth, mutual assist, in addition to the change of knowledge and intelligence, topic to the home legal guidelines of each nations.

“We are always willing to do that. It is a bilateral relationship that benefits both countries, irrespective of where the perpetrators are,” he mentioned.

The signing additionally featured the presentation of awards by the Australian Federal Police to 4 excellent officers of the Commission in recognition of their distinctive investigative expertise, professionalism and dedication demonstrated throughout a fancy and prolonged investigation.

The award recipients have been Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Abba Sambo Usman; Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Olufemi Olukinni; Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Omewa Pius Nnaemeka; and Inspector of the EFCC I, Owolabi Jude Oyarekhua.