INTERPOL, EFCC, JICA Close Ranks To Tackle Fraud, Illicit Financial Flows

The International Criminal Police Organisation popularly known as INTERPOL; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have expressed readiness to collaborate in tackling the menace of Illicit Financial Flows, drug trafficking, fraud and human trafficking across the globe.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of INTERPOL/JICA workshop on financial crimes in Abuja on Monday, the Vice President for Africa INTERPOL Executive Committee, AIG Garba Umar (rtd) said the objective of Nigeria and other nations was enhancing inter-agency cooperation towards combating transnational crimes.

Umar also disclosed that INTERPOL was introducing “Silver Notice” to help financial agencies across the globe to trace and repatriate stolen funds stashed anywhere in the world.

Also speaking at the event, Director, INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), Isaac Kehinde Oginni noted that effective collaboration among nations will disrupt financial profit of criminal enterprise and reduce the crime rate.

According to him, “Horrifying crimes such as drug trafficking, fraud and human trafficking can only be tackled effectively when we disrupt the financial profit behind the whole criminal enterprise.

“The National Central Bureau can only fully close the loop on your investigations, when we collectively follow the money trails across countries, and engage other international partners for assistance to recover them.”

Oginni, highlighting the essence of partnership in the fight against the financial crimes, corroborated Umar saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’

“Regardless of which agency you come from — you each represent a piece of the puzzle in our collective fight against money laundering. Each agency represents a different shape of the puzzle, with our different strengths and mandate. Each piece of the puzzle forms part of the bigger picture; and even one missing piece will prevent the whole picture from being developed.

“This is why, INTERPOL, together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency developed this project to extend the same learning opportunity that I had to you.”

The EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, at the event said the daunting nature of the fight against corruption in Nigeria and the world at large, deserve serious collaboration between organisations saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption and their stakeholders.

Olukoyede noted, “I have leant over the years that no particular organisation, agency or country can fight the scourge of corruption and financial crimes all alone, in view of the dynamic nature of corruption and other financial crimes. The reason I strongly believe that this programme is apt and timely.

“I am therefore delighted that this project is not only targeted at enhancing the capabilities and sharpening of the skills of Nigerian law enforcement agencies in
combating corruption and financial crimes, but designed to also foster a culture of cooperation through the establishment of a robust multi agency network of investigators to strengthen collaboration amongst them.”

Meanwhile, the Japan ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi described the workshop as an opportunity for new alliances and collaboration to tackle international financial crimes.