By Attah Ede
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday successfully secured the conviction of 146 out of 194 foreigners arrested for cybersecurity attacks relating to financial crimes in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede revealed this on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the International Cybersecurity Conference organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
He explained that last year, the commission arrested about 194 foreigners who were involved in various forms of financial crimes and activities that are inimical to the economic growth and development of our country.
“Today, I can tell you that we have succeeded in the prosecution and conviction of 146 of them. They will serve their jail terms and will be repatriated to their respective countries.
“Most of these foreigners posed as Nigerians with stolen identities to defraud unsuspecting individuals and institutions in the country, while Nigerians are being accused wrongly for such crimes.
“The 146 foreigners would serve their jail terms before being repatriated to their respective country. I thank the FBI, Interpol and other international security institutions for their support in ensuring successful prosecution of the cyber criminals.
“We will soon launch a Cybersecurity Centre in our facility with the capability to detect and respond to Cybersecurity attacks within one hour. The Cybersecurity attacks relating to financial crimes are becoming more organised across the world”, Olukoyede said
The EFCC boss enjoined security institutions and agencies as well as banks and regulatory bodies to collaborate to combat cyber crimes in the country.
“We will soon inaugurate a 500-capacity Research Centre for reformation and rehabilitation of convicted cyber criminals”, he said.
In attendance at the Conference are the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the Senate Committee Chairman on Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaibu Salihu, the Chairman House Committee on Cybersecurity, Mr Stanley Adedeji, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richards Mills, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Mr Adeladan Rafiu, among others.
