The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of approximately 60 individuals for financial offences in Rivers State within this year.
The anti-graft agency noted that internet fraud tops the list of convictions and criminal cases under investigation, urging the public to provide useful information to aid its operations.
This disclosure was made during an Anti-Corruption walk in Port Harcourt, organized by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations, sister security agencies, and Relief International Africa. The event was held to mark the 2024 African Union Anti-Corruption Day, themed “Effective Whistleblower Protection Mechanism, A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption.”
Adebayo Adeniyi, the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, highlighted the unique challenges in fighting corruption in Rivers State, particularly noting the prevalence of oil theft and high levels of criminal activity. “I have been here for over three months. I came in from Abuja and I noticed that the kind of criminal offences that happen here are quite different because the terrain is different. Here you see bunkering and all of that, we don’t see those kinds of things in Abuja,” Adeniyi said.
Adeniyi reported that the EFCC has successfully secured the conviction of 60 individuals for corruption charges within the year, emphasizing that internet fraud is particularly rampant in the state. “We have a lot of people under prosecution, but so far we have over 60 convictions this year. And we are progressing because we have many cases in court. The legal and operations departments are putting in their best efforts,” he stated.
He also noted the importance of public cooperation in the fight against corruption, particularly through whistleblowing. “I am new in Rivers State, but I have not seen a lot of whistleblowers. With this campaign, we hope to raise awareness. If you don’t communicate with people, they would not know you can receive this kind of information. We wish to inform them that they are safe when they give us information,” Adeniyi added.
Adeniyi emphasized the need to clamp down on internet fraud, particularly among the youth. “Internet fraud is always at a high level. Our youths these days are quick to go into internet fraud. The level of crime is high, which is why we are trying to reduce it,” he concluded.
The EFCC’s efforts and the Anti-Corruption walk aim to strengthen the fight against corruption and enhance public awareness, ultimately working towards a corruption-free society.
