Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) have taken a significant step in the fight against trans-border organized crimes by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The MOU was signed as a culmination of the three-day Cyber Peer Exchange Programme hosted by the EFCC in Nigeria, which saw the participation of West African countries.
The main objective of the exchange programme was to enhance regional collaboration and cooperation in combating cybercrime and other forms of serious and organized crime.
The programme provided an opportunity for both institutions to share best practices, address existing challenges related to regional cooperation mechanisms, and explore effective ways to collaborate in tackling cybercrime and other serious crimes.
During the signing ceremony at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, Chairman AbdulKarim Chukkol acknowledged the previous MOU signed in 2019 that had not been fully operationalized. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the newly signed MOU becomes more than just a piece of paper and that concrete actions are taken to implement its provisions.
Chairman Chukkol also expressed the EFCC’s readiness to collaborate at any level, formal or informal, to ensure the success of joint efforts. He expressed confidence that EOCO, Ghana’s counterpart, will apply the valuable lessons learned during the programme to further strengthen their ongoing work.
“I hope as you go back to your country, some of the things you see, the positives, you will go and put into use. And, if there is any need to talk to us or seek our assistance in anything, especially in terms of asset forfeiture, in terms of cybercrime investigation and prosecution; we are always ready to partner with you. We have no choice because crimes are transnational today and this engagement, I think, will be a warning that crime does not pay. Wherever you are, we are going to use our slogan which says; we will get you anywhere, anytime,” he said.
Executive Director of EOCO, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs) was grateful to the EFCC for organising the peer exchange programme. She mentioned that her team has learnt so much during the programme and believes they are ready to work with her to change the tides of the office.
She assured the acting Chair of the EFCC that EOCO will do all it can in its power to implement all the great strategies that EFCC has in place to fight crimes and to make EOCO an organisation of world repute.
“I can say, the EFCC will be proud of us when you hear that the EOCO has also moved from the way we do things to a better way of doing it.
“I am very hopeful that all your effort will not be in vain. We have to operationalize this MoU because, if we don’t, it means we have wasted everybody’s time, and I assure you that when we go back if there is anything we need some clarification or explanation, we will not hesitate to reach out to you”, she stated.
The three-day Cyber Peer Exchange Programme was sponsored by GIZ Governance for Inclusive Development Programme, Co-funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).