The acting Kaduna Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Assistant Commander Bawa Usman Kaltungo has emphasised the critical role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media in the fight against corruption.
At a one-day sensitisation workshop for CSOs and journalists in Kaduna, organised by the commission to deepen collaboration with stakeholders, Kaltungo noted that the partnership between the EFCC and stakeholders has yielded significant results.
He noted that many landmark investigations and public sensitisation campaigns had resulted from intelligence and information provided by the media and CSOs.
He urged participants to view the workshop as a platform for open dialogue, asking questions, seeking clarifications, and sharing perspectives, with the aim of building a stronger, more collaborative relationship between the EFCC and stakeholders.
‘The EFCC has been working to combat corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria, and this workshop is part of its efforts to engage with stakeholders and promote transparency and accountability’, Kaltungo said.
In her overview objectives of the workshop, EFCC’s Head of Public Affairs Unit for the zone, Zainab Sani Ahmed emphasised the importance of collaboration between the EFCC and stakeholders in the fight against corruption.
She stated that the workshop aims to provide a clearer understanding of the legal and practical realities of prosecuting financial crimes, demystify emerging threats such as cryptocurrency fraud, and highlight the preventative role of CSOs and the media in building a corruption-resistant society.
Ahmed said: ‘The EFCC recognises the crucial role of CSOs and the media in promoting accountability and serving as vital links to communities, and this workshop is designed to strengthen their capacity to play their respective roles in the national endeavor against corruption’.
In his paper presentation with the title, “Prosecuting Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and the Way Forward”, the Head of Legal and Prosecution Department of the zone. Nasiru Salele identified several challenges facing the prosecution of economic and financial crimes in the country. He highlighted external and institutional obstacles to effective prosecution.
According to Salele, external challenges include unwarranted restraining orders, lack of specialized skills, evidential and legal hurdles, and technological evolution of crime. He also cited institutional challenges such as logistics, capacity building, personnel, and working tools.
He emphasised the need for leveraging technology, intelligence gathering, and digital forensics to enhance investigation and prosecution capabilities. He also called for reforms in trial procedures, encouraging corporate self-reporting and cooperation, and strengthening international cooperation to combat economic and financial crimes.
The EFCC official stressed that the future of prosecuting economic and financial crimes depends on the ability of the justice system to adapt to the digital age. He advocated for a three-pronged approach: adopting advanced technologies, reforming legal and policy frameworks, and strengthening international cooperation.
Salele further said that only through a commitment to technological advancement, legal modernization, and global collaboration can Nigeria effectively counter the corrosive effects of economic and financial crimes and uphold the rule of law.
The workshop featured three seasoned resource persons and was structured to be interactive, encouraging active participation from attendees.
