By Harris Emanuel, Uyo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised alarm over the rising cases of real estate and internet crime in Akwa Ibom.
Uyo Zonal Commander of the commission, Assistant Commnader Bawa Saidu said, Thursday during a media workshop for Journalists in Uyo on “Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes” that the commission is however working on it.
Saidu called on the media to focus its search light on the sector to tackle the sharp practices adding that only collective fight against financial and economic crime by all Nigerians would help to nip the situation in the bud.
“The rising incidences of real estate and internet related cases have become worrisome. The real estate sector has been identified as a strong money laundering practices in Nigeria.” The Zonal Commander said.
He said that the commission has both the backing of the law and qualified personnel to tackle financial and economic crimes in the country, adding that its efforts have so far helped reduce cybercrime in Nigeria,ranked third in cyber crime in the world.
He revealed that persons have in the past impersonated EFCC officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of their money, and cautioned that people should be wary of such ‘EFCC officials’ trying to extort money from them.
Saidu however denied that EFCC officials demanded money from members of the public from whatever guise and urged such persons to verify from their office the identity of such officials so as not to be to deceived, adding that bail in the EFCC remainedo.
The workshop featured Legal Challenges of Prosecuting Economic and Financial Crimes, Trends , Peculiarities and Challenges of Cybercrime Endorsement in Nigeria and Investigative Journalism and Nigeria’s Fight against Money Laundering.
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