By Dele Ogbodo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday opened a new chapter in the robust fight against internet fraud across the country.
The renewed vigour is coming through a broad-based collaboration, linkage and synergy across sectors and institutions.
The disclosure came to the fore when the Chief Executive of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, played host to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission in Abuja.
While expressing optimism that the war against internet fraud will be won, Olukoyede, however pointed out that fraudsters are negatively uping their game, employing the internet as a gateway to perpetrate their criminalities and charged the NCC to be firmer in its regulatory works.
“When enforces of the law and regulators collaborate, it will not be business as usual. There is need for collaboration because crimes are technology- driven”, he said.
He said the collaboration of the two Commissions signaled greater readiness to confront the menace of internet fraud and assured fraudsters that criminality would not be business as usual for them.
The EFCC boss, stressed that the challenges facing the country are surmountable and called for more commitment towards a corruption-free nation.
He enjoined the NCC and internet service providers to monitor the use of the internet more closely to checkmate the activities of fraudsters.
According to him, where stakeholders support and collaborate with the EFCC, the Commission would do its job perfectly.
On the purpose of his visit, Maida, said he was at the Commission to congratulate the Chairman of the EFCC on his appointment, reiterating the fact that the “NCC is a longtime partner in the fight against internet fraud.
The overarching visit, he explained is one of those official engagements meant to restrategise, deepen the conversation and engagement both bodies.”
While recalling that both organisations have shared ideas at different times and fora, he added that EFCC had facilitated the forensic training of some NCC staff, maintaining that the inter-relationship between the two Commissions was vital in combating internet fraud.
“Internet crimes are sophisticated and the NCC as a critical partner is always ready to work with the EFCC in any area it could to contribute to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” he said
