EFCC  tasks MDAs on synergy and collaboration in the fight against economic crimes.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  has called for more collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs,  of government  in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

The call was made in Abuja  on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 by the  Deputy Chief of Staff of the EFCC,   Sambo Maiyana Muazu at a two-day sensitization program on the Eagle Eye Application for Assistant Directors of the Federal  Ministry of Finance.

He stated that Section 6(j) of the EFCC’s  Establishment Act,  “ mandates the EFCC to collaborate with government bodies, within and outside the country that carry out functions similar to that of the commission concerning the identification and determination of the whereabouts and activities of persons suspected to be involved in economic and financial crimes and also the identification and tracing of proceeds derived from economic and financial crimes. This is part of what informed the development of this app by the EFCC to make it easy.”

Highlighting the importance of information to the Commission, Muazu further urged stakeholders to use the Eagle Eye App to provide information and report all forms of economic and financial crimes. “The reporting of crimes to us,  in the EFCC,  is very important, because without information, it will be difficult for us to carry out our mandate. Of course you may go out to get information  and have cases reported, but with more information,  it makes it a lot easier and it makes prevention even better.”

Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC , ASE Fave Samuel Ismaila, in his own contributions,  explained that the app is significantly  complimenting  the whistle-blowing policy of the government.  “One of the key features of this app is that of anonymity, by not being known which has  complimented the whistle-blowing policy, you can report and be known if you want to, if you don’t want, you can remain anonymous.”

In his remarks, Acting Director, Reform, Coordination, Service Improvement and Innovation, RCSI&I, Federal Ministry of Finance, Sulola Johnson, commended the EFCC for organizing the sensitization program and called on all stakeholders to key into the fight against economic and financial crimes.

“By this singular meeting, we are promoting the collective action against corruption through multi stakeholder engagements in the Federal Ministry of Finance.  Corruption affects all areas of the society and preventing corruption needs progress towards a sustainable development goals. It helps also to protect our planet and create jobs, and secure wider access to essential services such as health and education”, he said.