ARIN-WA Calls for EFCC Collaboration on Intelligence Sharing, Asset Recovery

The Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network West Africa (ARIN-WA) has reached out to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with a proposal for partnership in the areas of intelligence sharing and the exchange of information related to asset recovery.

This collaborative effort is aimed at bolstering the security and economic stability of the African region.

ARIN-WA’s President, Jacinto Fernandez Do Canto, made this appeal during a visit to the Corporate Headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja on September 9, 2023.

In his statement, Do Canto emphasized the need for Nigeria to demonstrate its commitment to the network by engaging in robust asset management and recovery initiatives.

Nigeria, despite being a member of ARIN-WA, is among the four member countries that have not yet established agencies for recovery and asset management. The EFCC serves this purpose in Nigeria.

“We share information with people in our region and other regions. ARIN-WA would request for information from Nigeria and Nigeria equally may request for such information,” Do Canto stated.

He expressed confidence that the EFCC would play a vital role in strengthening the essence of the network and continue to collaborate effectively with it.

Charles Balet, Assistant Secretary of ARIN-WA, highlighted the purpose of their visit to the EFCC as an opportunity to learn from their Nigerian counterparts and share experiences.

He also advocated for Nigeria to centralize its asset recovery and management system and requested financial support from Nigeria, as ARIN-WA relies heavily on donor funding.

In response, the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol, represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. George Ekpungu, acknowledged the prevalence of economic, financial crimes, and corruption in the region. He stressed the importance of breaking down language barriers to facilitate cooperation and information sharing among member countries of ARIN-WA.

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Chukkol expressed concerns about the assessment of the Mutual Evaluation Report on Nigeria, explaining that although the country has a strong legal framework, its vast size makes the impact less visible.

He mentioned recent legislative efforts, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), which mandated the establishment of a Department of Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management. The EFCC was the first agency to create such a department, and recoveries are kept in an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Dr. Ekpungu pledged to relay ARIN-WA’s request for financial support to the acting Chairman of the Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation. He also expressed the EFCC’s readiness to provide training to member nations of ARIN-WA on the asset recovery and management process through the EFCC Academy.