The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) on Tuesday gave award of excellence to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu and 15 top detectives of the agency.
The award was for the acknowledgment for Magu’s unique role in the joint field operation with the FBI codenamed, “Operation Rewired”.
The operation was aimed at tackling the menace of cybercrimes
The FBI legal attaché, Uche Ahamdi who presented the award during a visit to the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, commended Magu’s leadership as well as the commission over the collaboration in the fight against corruption.
A statement by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said the FBI Legal Attaché, Uche Ahamdi, who presented the award during a visit to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja, commended Magu’s leadership and the commission for the collaboration in the fight against corruption.
Ahamdi said: “After a long race and crossing a certain finished line, we look back and see how far we have gone, and then come back together to say thank you very much for all your support in tackling the Business Email Compromise (BEC) menace across the world, not just in Nigeria, but across the world.”
“The EFCC under Magu has put in place efficient working collaboration leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of BEC across the globe.”
He restated the need for more collaboration between the FBI and the EFCC. He said the FBI was “immensely pleased” with the assistance rendered by the Commission.
“We have come to present a few token of our appreciation in the form of citation and certificates from the FBI to the operatives who handled part of the BEC rewired operation,” Ahamdi added.
Responding, Magu appreciated the FBI for deeming it fit to consider him and his team worthy for the award of excellence, and gave assurances of the Commission’s readiness to continue partnering with the FBI.
According to the anti-graft czar, the exchange of intelligence with the FBI helped the commission in winning the fight against cyber-crime.
He said the working relationship with the FBI was necessary “because corruption is a borderless crime”.
EFCC officers who received the Award of Excellence along with Magu included Abdullahi Lawal, Ernest Okoli, Ajao Mariam, Haruna Idris and Naziru Aminu Shehu.
Others are Umar Aminu Yabo, Okanne Kelechi, Princewill Kingsley, Blessing Elegbede, Kaigama Mustapha, Kolawole Mukaila, Baba Mustapha, Najib Isah, Afanda Emmanuel Bashir and Abdullahi Lawal.
By Yusuf Alli