EFCC: Tinubu cracks down on cybercriminals, transnational car thieves and others

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commends the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for returning $180,000 in proceeds of crime and 53 vehicles to Canadian police authorities, and directs security and law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to tackle individuals possessing and trafficking stolen vehicles in Nigeria.

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to continue working with the country’s international partners to ensure that cybercriminals and other organised criminal groups involved in transnational car thefts are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday, September 22, 2024 in Abuja, FCT, also directed the relevant security and law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police (NPF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to intensify efforts to tackle persons possessing and trafficking stolen vehicles in Nigeria.

Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of EFCC (far right) presents a document on the recovery of 53 stolen vehicles and $180,300 to representatives of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Abuja

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement that President Tinubu also noted that one of the most effective tools at the disposal of law enforcement agencies is to deprive criminals of the proceeds of their illegal activities.

The Nigerian leader also acknowledged the recent handover by the EFCC of 53 vehicles and $180,300 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), on behalf of two Canadian citizens who were victims of cybercrime committed by some Nigerian nationals.

Tinubu expressed concern over the involvement of transnational organised crime groups in the export of stolen vehicles to the West African country and commended the Commission for working with partners to ensure a coordinated and professional response to this menace.

Onanuga disclosed that the President has directed all relevant agencies, especially the anti-corruption agencies, to protect Nigeria’s economic and financial integrity from infiltration by organised crime.

The President also demanded that the value of the seized movable property be preserved for the state, society and the victims, in accordance with existing legislation and international treaties.

Tinubu further emphatically affirmed that “Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles nor a haven for illicit wealth from abroad.”

The current government remains committed to combating money laundering, cybercrime and other financial crimes, the president said.

How collaboration and dedication have resulted in many recoveries: EFCC Chairman

ConsumerConnect Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of EFCC, reports that he on Friday, September 6, handed over the seized $180,300 and 53 vehicles, assets seized for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters, to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Abuja.

The Anti-Corruption Monitoring Commission had stated that the one hundred and sixty-four thousand US dollars ($164,000) of the seized cash belonged to a victim, identified as Elena Bogomas, while $16,300 (sixteen thousand three hundred US dollars) belonged to another victim, known as Sandra Butler.

“The 53 recovered vehicles were stolen in Canada over time, transported to Nigeria and distributed by criminal elements to various locations in Nigeria,” the EFCC said in a statement on its corporate website.

On behalf of the RCMP, the following persons were addressed at the handover ceremony held at the Chairman’s Conference Room of the EFCC Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja: Robert Aboumitri, Principal Secretary to the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada and Nasser Salihou, RCMP Liaison Officer and Program Manager.

The Commission said Olukoyede, who welcomed the successes of the EFCC-RCMP partnership, noted that the efforts leading to the recoveries and the handover ceremony clearly demonstrated that the Nigerian government will not tolerate fraud and corruption.

It further said: “We are here today to witness the handover of assets recovered on behalf of Canadian victims of cybercrime. What the EFCC is doing today is on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“This is to demonstrate that the government of Nigeria will never tolerate any form of financial crime for any reason.”

The anti-corruption agency said: “It is a testament to the fact that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed has given us the mandate to extend our hands of camaraderie and cooperation with you to ensure that this particular problem is resolved.

“The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, worked with us and that effort resulted in many recoveries.”

The agency also explained that “the operation lasted several years and ultimately resulted in significant revenues.”

Olukoyede said: We therefore feel it is imperative to let our colleagues and friends at the Canadian Royal Mounted Police know that as an agency, EFCC and as a country we always stand ready to combat financial crime.

“Nigeria is not necessarily a hub, it shouldn’t necessarily be seen as such. It’s a transit camp, just like Canada is a transit camp and most countries in the world are, because they’re moving from one jurisdiction to another.”