The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Nigerian Navy are to strengthen their partnership in fighting economic sabotage and other financial crimes in the maritime domain.
This resolution was the highpoint of the visit by the Chief of Operations of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral A.O Adaji, to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja recently.
Admiral Adaji who was received on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, by the Head of Operations, Michael Wetkas, commended the Commission’s diligence in tackling maritime-based crimes and the number of convictions recorded in cases transferred to it by the Navy. He however called for improvement. “There is need for us to improve communication between both institutions because we need the EFCC and the EFCC needs us. We need to be furnished with the updates of our cases and the status of the trials in court,” he said.
He also urged speedy prosecution of cases and the exploration of options in tackling challenges inherent in the taking over of vessels; and misgivings over plea bargain arrangements where defendants sometimes get punishment not commensurate with their offence.
In his response, Wetkas appreciated the team for the visit, stating that the Commission values its longstanding partnership with the Nigerian Navy.
“We recognize the gaps and we are glad that we are all going to work together to improve communication and share information. We will furnish you with the updates of your cases and we will look into all we discussed here but there are some decisions that are not in ours powers but left in the hands of the courts,” he said.
Packaged by Emmanuel Okafor
