EFCC vows to protect Anambra, Imo from cyber crimes, other economic sabotage

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Friday, commissioned a zonal office in Awka, vowing to protect Anambra and Imo states from economic sabotage, including cyber crimes and related matters.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, who stated this at the commissioning, said the new commission’s headquarters was an acknowledgement of the industry of citizens of both states who are creating businesses, building industry, trading, investing, and generating employment.

“These legitimate economic activities must be protected from fraud, from cybercrime, and money laundering, advance fee fraud, diversion of public resources, and other forms of economic and financial crime. Therefore, our coming to Awka is beyond geographical expansion,” he said.

The EFCC boss also noted that, “It’s about bringing the agency a bit closer to the people, and closer to the economic activities we are meant to protect.

“Part of our mandate is to also help you to safeguard your economy. And so, I charge Mr. Governor and the head of the office here to develop a cordial working relationship.”

In his remarks at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, who represented President Bola Tinubu, urged the government of the two states to protect the critical infrastructure of the agency in order to protect their economic interest.

He therefore called on Nigerians “to take ownership of this collective crusade,” adding that, “Restoring transparency, accountability, and due process across all sectors of governance demands the active cooperation of every citizen.”

In his reaction, the Anambra state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, expressed delight and support for the development while his Imo state counterpart, Governor Hope Uzodimma, pledged “partnership with the commission in the fight against financial crimes.”