Fraud / Law / News

Instagram influencer, Mompha, declared wanted by EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, a wanted person.

The EFCC made the declaration in a statement backed by a publication on its social media handles on Wednesday.

It called on members of the public with useful information on his whereabouts to contact the anti-graft agency.

“Wanted by the EFCC: Ismaila Mustapha. Anyone with useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the EFCC or the nearest police station,” the brief statement read.

Mompha, alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an eight-count charge bordering on ‘”conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, failure to disclose assets and property, possession of documents containing false pretense and use of property derived from unlawful act.”.

One of the counts reads: “Ismaila Mustapha, Ahmadu Mohammed (at large) and Ismalob Global Investment Limited, sometime in 2016, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to conduct financial transactions to the tune of N5,998,884,653.18 ( Five Billion Nine Hundred and Ninety-eight Million Eight Hundred and Eighty-four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty-three Naira Eighteen Kobo) with the intent of promoting the carrying on of specified unlawful activities to wit: obtaining by false pretense.”

Mompha pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, prompting the commencement of his trial.

He was remanded in the custody of the EFCC, but was later granted bail of N200 million, which he failed to fulfil.

The bail was later reduced to N25 million.

The trial had been stalled since June 16, 2022 due to the absence of the defendant.

On June 10, the EFCC ac­cused him of flouting the court’s order by travel­ling to Dubai with a new international passport.

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State on June 22, 2022 revoked the N200 million bail earlier granted to the suspect and also issued a bench warrant for his arrest due …

Entertainment / Fraud / News

Erigga mocks EFCC over plans to imprison landlords who rent houses to fraudsters

The music star took to his Twitter page on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, where he mocked the agency over its plan. “Dem say 15years imprisonment for landlord when rent house to yahoo boy but what about country when yahoo men dey rule?” he tweeted.

The agency recently announced its readiness to go after landlords who rent their houses to internet fraudsters.

The commission made this known while announcing its virtual townhall meeting, EFCC Connect to expand its reach and engagement with citizens.

As part of its efforts to provide answers and clarifications to issues, the agency announced on its Twitter page that it would hold a Twitter Space on Wednesday, June 28, 2022, at 6 pm to discuss the implications of renting properties to criminals.

The EFCC said the topic; ‘Give your house to Yahoo boys, spend 15 years in jail’, would be discussed by its Legal and Prosecution Officers Sylvanus Tahir and Cosmos Ugwu.

…
Crime / Fraud / News

N47b Scandal: EFCC detains former NDDC boss, Nsima Ekere

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Nsima Ekere in connection with a probe of N47billion contracts.

The contracts were allegedly awarded between 2017 and 2019.

It was learnt that Ekere got wind of a close up on him by the EFCC and voluntarily reported at the Lagos office of the commission.

A top source in the commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “This commission is investigating alleged diversion of N47billion through registered contractors of NDDC. Some fake contracts were allegedly awarded for diversion purposes.

“Ekere is undergoing interrogation and we have detained him.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “I think he got hints of surveillance on him and voluntarily reported to the EFCC’s office in Lagos.”

The Nation…

Crime / Fraud / Law

Man who defrauded companies of N266m posing as Army General lands in prison

An Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State on Monday ordered that a man, Bolarinwa Oluwasegun, be remanded for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Army General and defrauding two companies of N266 million.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo ordered that he be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending hearing in the bail  application.

Justice Taiwo adjourned the case until April 14.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defendant had pleaded not guilty to the 13-count-charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretenses, forgery and possession of document containing false pretenses. Earlier, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission persecution counsel, Abbas Muhammed, urged the court to remand the defendant pending hearing in his bail application.

Muhammed said: “We received a summon for bail dated April 8.

“While we are still within time to respond, we urge the court to remand the defendant, pending our response and hearing in the bail application.”

The EFCC alleged that the defendant falsely presented himself as a General in the Nigerian Army and collected N266,500 million from Kodef Clearing Resources Limited and DE-Rock Marine Resources Limited.

Muhammed also alleged that the defendant with the intent to defraud paraded himself as a General in the Nigerian Army and obtained N247,500 million from Kodef Clearing Resources Limited.

He added: “The defendant obtained the money under false pretext that the money represented part of the amount expended to press and process his upcoming appointment as the Chief Of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, a representation he knew to be false.”

The prosecution also alleged that the defendant obtained N19 million from De-Rock Marine Resource Limited.

Muhammed told the court that the defendant committed the offence in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 in Lagos.

He submitted that the defendant allegedly forged a “Letter Of Appointment As Chief Of Army Staff” dated May 20, 2020 and purportedly said the document emanated from the Presidency.

He also alleged that the defendant forged a Nigerian Army Identity Card with serial number 387140.

The defendant was also alleged to have been in possession …

Fraud / News / politics

EFCC moves ex-Anambra State Governor, Obiano to Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has moved immediate past Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano to Abuja after he was arrested in Lagos Thursday night.

EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujiaren, confirmed this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Friday in Lagos.

“The ex-governor was arrested in Lagos, but was moved to Abuja this morning (Friday),” Uwujiaren said.

Recall that the anti-graft commission busted Obiano at about 8.30p.m., Thursday, at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on his way to Houston, Texas, U.S after handing over to his successor, Governor Charles Soludo. The commission’s spokesperson added that Obiano had been on the EFCC’s watch list for some months, adding that his immunity as a Governor prevented his arrest until he handed over to his successor.

Uwujiaren said the commission had requested the Nigeria Immigration Service to provide information on the former governor’s movement out of the country from airports, or other points of exit from the country.

As at time of filing this report, the EFCC is yet to release details on Obiano’s offence.…

Business / Crime / Law / News

Two Bankers withdraw customer’s N47.4m with their own ATMs

A Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Maryam Sabo has granted bail on stringent conditions to two bankers: Nuhu Demba and Mohammed Abdullahi Musa, who allegedly conspired and stole the sum of N47,452,055.45 from the account of one Mailafia Mohammed.

The case, being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes, was reported via a petition by the victim and complainant.

The petitioner alleged that on February 6, 2021, he was attacked in his house by armed men who took away his mobile phone.

Mohammed said on February 8, 2021, he reported the incident to the branch of his bank where he maintains a savings account and was advised to continue using his account as nothing would happen. He further alleged that on February 18, 2021, he went to withdraw money and was informed that there was no money in the account.

He subsequently requested for his account statement and discovered that N47,452,055.45 was fraudulently withdrawn from it through the use of Automated Teller Machine cards.

The EFCC said investigation revealed that Musa and Demba stole the said monies from the complainant’s account through ATM and Point of Sale withdrawals.

It said the defendants perpetrated the fraud by using their positions to obtain ATM cards without going through due process and without the knowledge of the account holder.

Upon arraignment on February 10, 2022, they pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned to February 14, 2022 for ruling on the bail application.

Justice Sabo granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N10 million each, out of which a cash sum of N5 million shall be deposited in the court’s registry.

They are also to provide one surety each with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court worth N15 million.

The matter has been adjourned till March 23, 2022 for the commencement of trial.…

Crime / Fraud / News

EFCC secures final forfeiture of N3.07b landed properties owned by top military officer

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the final forfeiture of 20 landed properties valued at over N3,007,000,000 belonging to a top military officer but controlled through proxies, including late General Aminu Maude, Hon. Hassan Nalaraba and Tanimu Abdullahi Yunusu as well as companies such as Atlasfield Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, Marhaba Events Place, Aflac Plastics and Atlasfield Gas Plant Limited.Marhaba Events Place, Aflac Plastics and Atlasfield Gas Plant Limited.

Justice N. E. Maha of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted the forfeiture Order in a ruling on Monday.

It followed an application by the counsel to the EFCC, Cosmos Ugwu and Musa Isah.

The Court had in May 2020 ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties following an ex parte application by the Commission, alleging that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities. The court, having considered the application vis-a-vis Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, more particularly sub-sections 1 and 3 thereof granted the prayers of the Commission for an interim forfeiture and directed the publication of notices, alerting anyone with interest in the properties to show cause why they should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In the absence of any contestation, the court on Monday ordered the final forfeiture of the properties.

The forfeited properties, situated on lands valued at over N3,007,000,000, are located in different parts of Kano, Katsina, Calabar (Cross River State) and Kaduna.

They included Fuel Stations, Event Centers, Plazas, Block Industries, Truck Assembly Plant, Polythene Production factory and table water factory.

Some of the properties include undeveloped plot located at Rake, Adjacent to Dara Orthopedic Hospital, Kano, valued at N300 million; 117 hectares of land located at Adiabo, Oduapani LG, covered by Certificated of Occupancy No. OD/23/2011 dated 21/2/ 2011 in Calabar, Cross River State, valued at N386 million; Truck Assembly at Ring Road, adjacent to AA Affa Filling Station, Kano, valued at N206 million; and Marhaba Event Centre, Guda Abdulahi Road Farm Centre, Kano valued at N250 …

Entertainment / Fraud / News

EFCC reportedly seizes Obi Cubana international passport, says he is still in their custody

There are reports the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly confiscated the passport of socialite and businessman, Obinna Iyiegbu popularly known as Obi Cubana.

According to Punch, the seizure of his travel document was to prevent him from leaving the country while under investigation.

Contrary to earlier reports, the billionaire businessman is still in the custody of the commission. “Obi Cubana has not been released, he is still having quality sessions with investigators over alleged money laundering running into millions of naira and tax fraud,” a source revealed.

“He will be released when he has satisfactorily responded to all questions relating to his involvement in various illegal deals. As part of investigation, his travel document has been temporarily seized pending the conclusion of investigations.”

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed that the suspect is still in custody, however, said he has no information on the seizure of his passport.

Obi Cubana was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, November 1, 2021.

Obi Cubana is said to have been arrested for alleged money laundering and tax fraud.

…
Entertainment / Fraud / Law / Music / News

Naira Marley shows up in court as EFCC displays more evidence against him

Nigerian music star Naira Marley was at the court to defend himself against the Internet fraud charges levelled against him.

On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, the EFCC testified against the singer, showing various pieces of evidence to buttress its point. According to Anosike, about 2,410 short messages were analysed from the iPhone of the defendant while also stating that different credit card numbers were extracted from the iPhone.

According to the witness, the Apple iPhone is a sophisticated device capable of storing a large volume of information, adding that it is the sim card that basically identifies users of applications such as WhatsApp.

The witness said 977 Short Message Service (SMS) and 1,433 chat messages, were discovered in the witness’ iPhone while adding that there were also seven pending status update messages.

Anosike was still leading evidences in the trial of the defendant, who is facing an 11 counts charge, bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards as well as fraud.

The anti-graft agency preferred the charges on May 14, 2019

Fashola, who sang the popular song: “Am I a Yahoo Boy”, was consequently, arraigned on May 20, 2019 before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty.

The court had accordingly, granted him bail in the sum of two million naira, with two sureties in like sum.

Trial had since commenced in the case and the second prosecution witness who began his testimony shortly before the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, continued his evidence on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the witness who resumed his testimony on Tuesday, concluded his evidence after the virtual display.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had told the court at the last adjourned date, that the prosecution only printed out hard copies of relevant portions of the exhibit, which it considered key to its case.

He had told the court that a full version of the total analysis was contained in a CD

The printed copies of the exhibit is labeled exhibit F while

…
Fraud / Law / News

EFCC quizzes Civil Service Director for being in possession of $16m

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdul rasheed Bawa, says an unnamed former Director in Nigeria’s Civil Service is being questioned for being in possession of $16 million belonging to the Federal Government.

Bawa said this during a sensitization program in Abuja, on Tuesday, on the eradication of pension fraud in the country.

In his keynote address, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the Federal Government is determined to eradicate pension fraud, even as some other speakers at the event pledged their support for the EFCC’s anti pension fraud drive.

Some retirees at the summit demanded contributory pension schemes from state governments. The summit is targeted to set the tone for the urgent industry-wide reforms needed to deliver an efficient and sustainable pension administration in Nigeria.…

Crime / Fraud / Law

EFCC arrests man for allegedly defrauding Chinese of N82.8m

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested one Abraham Adeniji for allegedly obtaining goods under false pretense and diversion of funds to the tune of N82,803,550.00.

The Nigerian was arrested following a petition received by the Commission from one Gao Shu Quin, a Chinese national.

The petitioner alleged that she met the suspect sometime in 2017, while doing her legitimate business.

Quin further alleged that the suspect deceived her into supplying him containers of textiles materials, believing he would remit the proceeds upon sale of same. However, Adeniji allegedly diverted the proceeds for personal use after sale. The suspect will soon be charged to court.as soon as the investigation is completed.…

Crime / Entertainment / News

BBNaija’s Dorathy accuses EFCC of breaking into her home

Dorathy Bachor, former housemate of Nigerian reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of breaking into her house.

The reality TV star took to her Instagram Stories page on Monday, August 23, 2021, where she narrated what happened at her residence.

”What is the need of being a citizen in this country if I can’t feel safe in my house. It’s 5:am and I’m literally shaking and so upset right now. At 4:45 I heard a loud sound and voices followed after, I rush out almost naked to see 5 fully armed @officialefcc men in my living room,” she wrote.

“One of them said ‘oh na that big brother babe be this’ in my confused stated I asked what the hell was going on, why did they break down my door.”

Then one of them said they were looking for someone who ran into my estate and I should lock my door, stay inside and lock my door.”

The reality TV star said the incident almost gave her mother a panic attack.

…
Crime / News

Why we arrested ex-Abia Governor, son — EFCC

A former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, was on Thursday arrested by operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The Spokesperson of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday.

Uwujaren said the former governor, who had been on the commission’s watch list, was intercepted at the Nnamdi International Airport, Abuja on Thursday.

He said Orji was later taken to the commission’s headquarters for continuation of his interrogation. He said: “He is being quizzed alongside his son, Chinedu, the current Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, who turned himself in this afternoon upon learning of the arrest of his father.

“Orji and his sons, Chinedu and Ogbonna, are under investigation by EFCC for offences bordering on misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.

“The ex-governor is alleged to have collected N500 million monthly as security vote for eight years, as governor of Abia State between 2007 and 2015.

“Other issues relate to the alleged mismanagement of N2 billion ecological fund and conversion of Sure-P funds.”…

Crime / News

30 alleged fraudsters in Lagos hotel tried distracting us with naked ladies – EFCC

In the early hours of Tuesday July 13, 2021 a team of operatives from the Lagos Zonal Office of the Commission, acting on verified intelligence on the activities of a suspected syndicate of internet fraudsters carried out an operation at Parkitonian Hotel in the Lekki area of Lagos.

During the sting operation which was the culmination of weeks of surveillance during which the rooms occupied by the suspects were identified, 30 suspects were arrested with 24 of them already confessing involvement in cybercrimes and related activities.

There was no incident as the hotel management served with the relevant Warrant offered access to the operatives, to carry out their lawful duties.

However, in the course of the operation, the Operatives encountered women in some of the rooms who pleaded nudity to stop them from arresting their targets. This has lately become the antics of cyber fraudsters who procure ladies to plead nudity as a decoy, to allow their consort destroy incriminating items in their devices before arrest.  The Commission will not fall for such gimmick which is intended to prevent it from carrying out its lawful duties.

It must however be stated for emphasis, that there was no break in, no molestation and no violence of any kind during the operation.

Yet a section of the media, especially the online publication, People Gazette and the Punch Newspaper, which lapped up People Gazette’s report hook line and sinker, presented a narrative of gestapo operation, with forceful break in and the violation of the privacy of nude guests.

Interestingly, a common thread to the report is attribution to faceless sources. It is curious that citizens whose right to privacy had been so blatantly violated as claimed, would be hesitant to publicly speak about their ordeal. Even more worrisome is the fact that a responsible publication like the Punch Newspaper did not bother to carry out a fact-check on the allegations of break in and violence but simply regurgitated the false narrative of People Gazette.

Also, from the two reports, both the hotel owner …

Crime / News

Buhari constitutes EFCC Board

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed George Abang Ekpungu as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The appointment is for a fresh tenure of five years.

Also appointed as Board Members of the EFCC are Luqman Muhammad (South South), Anumba Adaeze (South East), Alhaji Kola Raheem Adesina (North Central) and Alhaji Yahya Muhammad (North East).

This appointment was in line with Section 2 (1) and Section 4 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004.

According to the statement, EFCC has been operating without Board Members since 2015.

President Buhari has already directed that the names be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.…

Crime / News

EFCC recovers N6b, 30 estates, 32 automobiles in three months – Bawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has so far recovered over N6 billion, 30 real estates and 32 automobiles between March and June this year.

The Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the weekly media briefing organized by the Presidential Communication Team.

Bawa said: “From the time I took over, we have recovered over N6 billion, over $161 million, over £13,000, €1,730,200 Canadian dollars, CFA 373,000, ¥8,430.

“We have recovered 30 real estates, one carpet, 13 electronics, one farm land, one factory, two motorcycles, one filling station and about 32 automobiles.” According to Bawa, not all recoveries made by the commission go into the coffers of the Federal Government.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to clarify issues.

“There are a number of recoveries that the EFCC has made over the years but not all recoveries made belong to the Federal Government.

“We have made recoveries for victims of criminals and they can be individuals, local government, state government, federal government, corporate entities whether in Nigeria or outside Nigeria.

“There are also recoveries that are indirect recoveries.

“Just a couple of weeks back, we recovered $100 million for the Nigeria Ports Authority but the monies were paid into the account of NPA but through our efforts.

“Am I not going to record that we have recovered such an amount for NPA?

“Are you going to see it in the EFCC recovered account with the CBN?

“No.

“There are recoveries that are made directly into the EFCC account.

“It is through systems and processes.

“There is Department of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management in EFCC responsible for collating all the data regarding recovered assets, assets on interim forfeiture and assets on final forfeiture as well as their location and of course their management.”

Bawa expressed serious concern over the rising cases of internet frauds involving youths across the country.

He revealed that over 1,500 internet fraudsters were apprehended in the last six months, saying they would soon be prosecuted.

He said: …

News / Security

I have been receiving death threats, says EFCC boss Bawa

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, says corruption does fight back, adding that he has been receiving death threats since he came on board as the chairman of the anti-graft agency.

He spoke on Tuesday when he featured in Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ program.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in November 2016 said, “Corruption is fighting back vigorously”.

When asked on Tuesday if indeed corruption is fighting back, Bawa said, “Last week, I was in New York, as all Nigerians are aware of. A very senior citizen received a phone call from somebody that is not even under investigation. What he (the caller) said to him on phone is that; he is going to kill the EFCC chairman, the young man. The President had in February 2021 named 40-year-old Bawa as the new EFCC chairman to replace the embattled ex-acting chairman of the anti-graft commission, Ibrahim Magu.…

News

Concerns over alleged re-looting of over $1.5b Abacha Loot

Economists, legal practitioners as well as other professionals and civil society organisations have expressed concerns over the poor management of returned looted funds, especially the money stolen by former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.Disturbed by increasing wave of corruption across the country, despite the much-talked about anti-corruption campaign of the present administration, the experts are further piqued about indications that returned loot were being re-looted, especially as the financial transactions remained opaque, lacking in transparency and accountability.

This growing fear, perhaps, recently forced the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III to ask the Federal Government to explain to Nigerians how much of the country’s looted funds it has so far recovered.

While the Federal and Delta State governments continue to lock horns over the returned £4.2m stolen by former governor James Onanefe Ibori, the experts stressed that there was every justification to return the stolen money to the state in the spirit of true federalism.

 

Last month, the Federal Government stated that the actual money stolen under Abacha and the amount recovered were unclear. As much as $5b was reportedly stolen by the deceased leader alone.

The funds, basically from oil and gas, which go out of the country as Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) hover around N103t in the last 15 years, The Guardian had earlier reported.

From 2007 to 2020, about $1.5b has been returned to Nigeria from different parts of the world. Also, between 2007 and 2018, Switzerland returned over $1b to the Nigerian government, and in June 2014, Liechtenstein sent $277m to Nigeria.

In May 2020, $308m held in accounts based in the Channel Island of Jersey, were sent to Nigeria. The returned monies brought the total of returned Abacha loot to $1.5b.

At the Ministry of Finance, Nwodo Charles, the ministry’s spokesperson said he needed time to get accurate information on the matter.

On the state of the projects where part of the fu116.72b for the much-politicised second Niger Bridge, a project valued at N414b, and expected to be delivered next year.

…
Crime / News

EFCC Partners With FBI to Fight Yahoo Boys

The acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said that the trends in global security revealed that cyber crimes are the latest form of terrorism and corruption affecting all nations in the 21st century.

Magu, who spoke through the commission’s director of operations, Mohammed Abbah, said the anti-graft agency in partnership with international agencies would leave no stone unturned in tackling menace as it posed a big threat to the global world.

Trends in global security denote that cyber crimes are the latest form of terrorism and corruption and this is a growing concern affecting all nations in the 21st century.

“Petitions evolving from cyber crimes have been on the increase on the EFCC website. These scams are being duly investigated by the Cyber Crimes Unit with a view to bringing culprits to justice.

The anti-graft chief stressed the need for more international partners to tackle cyber crimes.

He appreciated the FBI for its “invaluable” support to the commission and called for sustained partnership.

In his remark, Piro who was excited to visit Africa for the first time said the visit to Nigeria was borne out of the outstanding performance of the EFCC.

“The main purpose of my visit is to acknowledge the exemplary role EFCC has played and to thank you for the continuous partnership that has resulted in mutually beneficial rewards in the fight against corruption.

“The professionalism your team at EFCC has displayed is commendable; the impact of this is seen in the fortnightly briefs by the International Operations Division of the FBI which closely monitor the operations of the EFCC,” Piro said.

He acknowledged the trend of cybercrime as “truly a global trend” adding that steps are being taken to address it.

His words: “We hope to eradicate cybercrime despite the challenges by getting the right (qualified and talented) work force and station them in United States of America as well as Nigeria.”

Piro, an assistant director, International Operations Division (IOD), was accompanied on the visit by Jay Bernardo, his special …