Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received an award of excellence from the Federal
Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
According to Tony Orilade, EFCC’s spokesman, the award was
presented to Magu on Tuesday.
Orilade said Magu received the award for his “unique role”
in the joint field operation with the FBI code-named, “Operation Rewired” aimed
at tackling the menace of cyber-crime.
Operation Rewired, a coordinated law enforcement effort by
the US Department of Justice, in conjunction with anti-corruption agencies
around the world, was conducted over a four-month period resulting in 281
arrests in the US and overseas, including 167 in Nigeria, 18 in Turkey and 15
in Ghana.
According to Orilade, other arrests were also made in
France, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom (UK). The operation resulted in the seizure of
nearly $3.7 million.
Amahdi Uche, the FBI legal attaché, who presented the award
during a visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, commended Magu’s leadership
and the commission for the concerted efforts in the fight against corruption.
“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,” Uche said.
According to Uche, 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 reiterated the need for more collaboration between the
FBI and the EFCC, noting that the bureau was “immensely pleased” with the
assistance rendered by the commission.
“We 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,” he said.
Responding, Magu appreciated the FBI for deeming it fit to
consider him and his team worthy for the award.
He assured the FBI of the commission’s readiness to continue
partnering with the FBI.
He said the exchange of intelligence with the FBI helped the
commission in winning the fight against cyber-crime, adding that the working
relationship with the FBI was necessary “because corruption is a borderless
crime”.
Officers who received the award of excellence along with
Magu include, Abdullahi Lawal, Ernest Okoli, Ajao Mariam, Haruna Idris and
Naziru Aminu Shehu.
Others are Umar Yabo, Okanne Kelechi, Princewill Kingsley,
Blessing Elegbede, Kaigama Mustapha, Kolawole Mukaila, Baba Mustapha, Najib
Isah, Afanda Bashir and Abdullahi Lawal.
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