EFCC secures conviction of 146 foreigners for financial crimes

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the conviction and sentencing of 146 out of 194 foreign nationals arrested in connection with cybersecurity-related financial crimes in Nigeria.

The statement was made by Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday at the Abuja Continental Hotel during the opening ceremony of the International Cybersecurity Conference.

The event was organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Attendees at the conference included the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; the Senate Committee Chairman on Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaibu Salihu; the Chairman of the House Committee on Cybersecurity, Mr. Stanley Adedeji; the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richards Mills; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu, among others.

According to the EFCC Chairman, the 146 foreigners would serve their jail terms before being repatriated to their country.

He praised the FBI, Interpol and other international security institutions for their support in ensuring successful prosecution of the cyber criminals.

Olukoyede said the EFCC would soon inaugurate a Cybersecurity Centre in its facility with the capability to detect and respond to Cybersecurity attacks within one hour, stressing that Cybersecurity attacks relating to financial crimes are becoming more organised across the world.

He said it had become imperative for security institutions and agencies as well as banks and regulatory bodies to collaborate to combat cyber crimes, saying the EFCC would soon Commission a 500-capacity Research Centre for reformation and rehabilitation of convicted cyber criminals.

“Last year, we arrested about 194 foreigners who were involved in various forms of financial crimes and activities that are inimical to the economic growth and development of our country.

“Today, I can tell you that we have succeeded in prosecution and conviction of 146 of them. They will serve their jail terms and will be repatriated to their respective countries, ” Olukoyede said.

This is coming a day after it was reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stated that its operatives from the Kaduna Zonal Directorate arrested nine suspected illegal miners in Kaniyan Village, Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State.

According to a statement released by the Commission on Tuesday, the arrest followed the receipt of actionable intelligence regarding ongoing illegal mining operations in the area.

The suspects include five Chinese nationals and four Nigerians.

The Chinese nationals were identified as Wu Ping, Xu XianLiang, Xu Aimin, Xeu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua, while the Nigerian suspects were identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel.

Upon their arrest, EFCC operatives recovered a substantial cache of industrial mining and power equipment allegedly used in the illegal operation.