The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) organized an interactive session with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the 17th day of August, 2023 at the Port Harcourt Zonal Command. The meeting which had CSOs from Imo, Bayelsa and Rivers State was an opportunity for the EFCC and CSOs to rub minds and share strategies in ways to tackle economic and financial crimes in the country.
The interactive session was moderated by the Superintendent of EFCC, Akpos Deborah Mezeh-Ekisowei, Head, Public Affairs Department, PH Zonal Command. It began with opening prayers and introductions of officers of the EFCC and participants. The welcome address was delivered by ACE Ahmed M. Ghali who was representing the Acting Executive Chairman, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol. The Executive chairman in his welcome address appreciated all participants for attending the event, he stated that in order for the EFCC to achieve its goals and objectives, there is need for synergy between the commission and the CSOs, as CSOs acts as grassroot members, agents and whistleblowers that aid law enforcement agents such as the EFCC in tackling crimes, corruption and human rights violations in the country. He called for CSOs to see the commission as a partner in course of their various advocacies and awareness creation programs in the state, and as such the meeting is for CSOs to ask questions and make enquiries about some activities of the commission, share ideas and suggestions on ways to synergize in tackling economic and financial crime.
The Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the EFCC, ACE 11 Aisha Mohammed in her opening remark informed CSOs of some activities the commission engages in for public enlightenment and sensitization, and social and behavioral change. She stated that though the EFCC currently have no funding for activities of CSOs in the country, however, the commission is ready and available to partner with CSOs and offer technical assistance to CSOs championing the message of anti-economic and financial crimes in the communities.

The next session of the meeting was contributions, questions, suggestions from participants. The engagement between the commission and CSOs was aimed at fostering a good working relationship bewtween the commission and CSOs. Some questions and contributions made by participants include; Does the commission have witness protection program and a whistleblower policy? What are the commissions limits and challenges in dealing with corrupt elite members of the society, and what steps is the commission taking in addressing the perpetual injunction which restrains the commission from investigating and prosecuting alleged corrupt politicians in the country?
In his response, ACE Ahmed Ghali pointed out that the commission has a witness protection program and a whistleblower policy, where witness can testify anonymously or privately before a judge. With regards to the perpetual injunction restraining the commission’s efforts in investigating alleged corrupt elite citizens, he stated that the political pressure has been a challenge faced by the commission, however, the legal team of the commission is working tirelessly to overturn such court orders and bring criminals to justice. He also stated that that is where the Civil Society Organizations come in to play, and amplify such matters and advocate for better policies and court rulings.
CSOs members in their contributions called for transparency in the commission and that the commission to come forward and state their challenges and limitation. CSOs members further called on the EFCC to collaborate and share information which will help the civil society groups to drive advocacy and share petitions which will aid in bringing corrupt members of the society to be brought to justice for economic and financial crimes. CSOs members also called for professional conduct by officers of the commission in the execution of their duties. In order to achieve this, it is important for the commission to recruit, train and assigned competent, profession and honest individuals in handling duties and responsibilities of the commission. Unprofessional conduct by the officers of the EFCC, such as unlawful arrests and detainment of innocent individuals, negotiating loot and plea bargains has led to members of the public seeing the commission in a bad light.
With regards public perception of the EFCC, some participants called for the commission to institute community ambassadors, do more awareness creation programs to communities and on the media, and also educate young people against engaging in cybercrime. Responding to concerns of members of the civil society organizations, ACE 11 Aisha Mohammed, the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the EFCC pointed out some efforts the commission is taking in addressing the poor public perception and in awareness creation to the public. She mentioned the commission’s initiative of instituting Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools, and Zero Tolerance Clubs in higher institutions across the nation. The commission partners with the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in reaching out to pupils and students in public and private schools in the country. She also mentioned that the commission is currently in the process of signing an MOU with the Federal Ministry of Education to incorporate an anti-corruption subject in the school curriculum. With regards reaching out to religious groups, the commission is in the process of launching interfaith manuals, which will guide clergymen and Imams in their messages to their congregation against forms of economic and financial crimes. The commission also have social media platforms (@OfficialEFCC), radio and TV programs used as mediums to sensitize members of the public. The radio program holds every Friday by 8:30pm – 9pm on Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN – Radio Rivers FM), and TV show every Monday by 3:30pm – 4pm on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Mrs. Aisha Mohammed also encouraged CSOs to reach out to the commission when they need partnership, and that the commission is ready to provide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and human resource for earmarked activities of the CSO. Other concerns raised by participants include the commission’s effort in tackling money laundering in the oil and gas sector, collaboration with trade unions across the country, job creation for youths in order to discourage them from engaging in cybercrime, and opening of EFCC state offices.

Speaking on behalf of CSOs present, Mr. Green Isaac of Relief International Africa organization gave the vote of thanks. He appreciated the commission for inviting members of civil society organizations to the interactive session, that the partnership and collaboration between the commission and CSOs will yield fruits that will bring about social change and national development. He encouraged the commission to take heed of all suggestions and ideas shared by CSOs and to also avail themselves whenever called upon to address issues arising across the nation.
