ABUJA, Nigeria – In an unprecedented move, Abdulrasheed Bawa, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of Nigeria, has implored citizens engaging in money laundering activities in Saudi Arabia to desist.
The plea came as part of a broader effort to strengthen global collaboration against corruption.
Bawa issued the appeal during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, NAZAHA, on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
The MoU is a strategic step in augmenting international alliances to tackle the multifaceted challenges imposed by corruption.
“This MoU signifies a substantial milestone in bolstering international partnerships to tackle the complex challenges posed by corruption,” Bawa stated.
Throughout his presentation, the anti-graft agency leader underscored the crucial role of intelligence and seamless information exchange with local, regional, and global law enforcement counterparts.
He emphasized that these elements are critical components of a successful asset recovery regime.
Bawa recognized the vital role of the West Africa’s Network of National Anti-Corruption Agencies, NACIWA, in fostering consistent law enforcement collaboration, conducting joint investigations, and coordinating efforts in asset recovery and extradition.
He highlighted the need for comprehensive legal provisions to prosecute both conviction-based and non-conviction-based asset forfeitures.
According to Bawa, such legal measures serve as potent deterrents and facilitate the recovery of stolen assets for the public good.
Trust-building amongst law enforcement agencies is essential, Bawa insisted, as he encouraged global heads of these agencies to establish robust relationships grounded in shared objectives to combat corruption.
NAZAHA president, Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous, applauded Bawa’s detailed presentation and expressed his gratitude for the EFCC’s valuable insights into the domain of asset recovery.
Al-Kahmous extended an invitation for an expanded experience-sharing visit by the EFCC’s asset recovery experts to the Saudi Anti-Corruption Agency.
The visit aims to enable a deeper dive into the complexities of the international asset recovery legal framework, fostering more comprehensive discussions and collaboration.
As Nigeria and Saudi Arabia fortify their joint resolve against corruption, the spotlight is on whether this increased collaboration will yield tangible results in the battle against corruption.
