EFCC Advocates More International Collaboration in Asset Recovery Efforts.

Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency, the Executive Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has called for enhanced international collaboration in asset recovery efforts.

The commission’s Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, made the plea in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia while signing a memorandum of understanding, MoU, with the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (NAZAHA) of Saudi Arabia.

The event was a follow-up to the EFCC Chairman’s participation in the Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities in the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) Member States in December 2022 to adopt the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention, where the two agencies had resolved to reinforce their commitment to combat corruption with an MoU.

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Bawa said it was a development that marked a significant milestone in strengthening international partnerships to address the complex challenges of corruption.

The NAZAHA is the lead anti-corruption agency in Saudi Arabia and shoulders the responsibility of safeguarding integrity in both public and private sectors.

The agency plays a crucial role in combating corruption, gathering data, and compiling statistics on agencies falling under its purview while coordinating anti-corruption efforts across the public and private sectors.

A significant component of the visit was sharing experiences and insights on asset recovery.

The EFCC, recognized as a global leader in this domain, delivered a special presentation on its extensive expertise in asset recovery.

The EFCC boss underscored the factors contributing to a successful asset recovery regime, emphasizing the criticality of access to relevant information through intelligence-gathering and seamless information exchange with partner law enforcement agencies and regional and international networks.

Significantly, Bawa highlighted the instrumental role of West Africa’s Network of National Anti-Corruption Agencies (NACIWA), an esteemed network he currently leads, in facilitating regular law enforcement cooperation, joint investigations, and coordinated efforts in asset recovery and extradition.

Emphasizing the need for a robust legal framework, Bawa further identified the critical role of comprehensive laws for prosecuting both conviction and non-conviction-based asset forfeiture, adding that such legal measures would serve as a deterrent and enable the recovery of stolen assets for the public good.

EFCC Advocates More International Collaboration in Asset Recovery Efforts.

He reiterated the significance of trust-building among law enforcement agencies. He stressed the importance of global heads of law enforcement agencies establishing solid relationships based on trust and shared goals in combating corruption.

Also, the President of NAZAHA, Mr Mazen bin Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Kahmous, expressed gratitude to the EFCC Chairman for the extensive and insightful presentation, which shed light on the EFCC’s invaluable experiences in asset recovery.

He requested an expanded experience-sharing visit by the EFCC’s asset recovery experts to the Saudi Anti-Corruption Agency. This will allow both agencies to delve further into the intricate workings of the international asset recovery legal framework, allowing for more in-depth discussions and collaboration.

The EFCC Chairman will also be privileged to visit the Saudi Ministry of Finance for a presentation on the renowned E-Procurement Platform, Etimad.

This interactive session will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss practical strategies to combat corruption in public procurement.

The Saudi Government has successfully implemented Etimad to mitigate the risk of corruption in procurement-related matters.

This visit of the Executive Chairman to Saudi Arabia reflects the EFCC’s unwavering commitment to combating corruption and strengthening international partnerships by sharing best practices, exchanging knowledge, and fostering trust.

By Salihu Ali, Abuja

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