ICT crucial in fight against corruption, says EFFC boss

By Olubunmi Adeniyi

Lagos. July 16, 2012. Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde has emphasised the need for appropriate deployment of cutting-edge technology in Nigeria to win the fight against corruption and economic crime in the country.

Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Jimmy Imo, Lamorde made this observation recently during a visit by a delegation from West African NGO Network (WANGONET) to the headquarters of the Commission in Abuja.

According to the EFFC boss, the battle against corruption has become so sophisticated with the advent of modern technology such that Anti-Corruption Internet Database (ACID) initiated by WANGONET would be useful in fighting corruption and financial crimes.

He commends WANGONET for engaging and guiding young people to embrace the fight against corruption through the use of modern technology.

Lamorde expresses the Commission’s willingness to forge a closer relationship and collaboration with NGO Network, while noting that the EFCC will be represented at the forthcoming stakeholders’ forum of the organization.

Customer Service Relations/Advocacy Officer, WANGONET, Femi Aderigbe says the organisation’s visit to EFCC was to congratulate the Chairman and staff of EFCC for their efforts in fighting corruption and economic crime despite the odds and explore ways of fostering mutual cooperation, especially on the NGO could deploy IT in the work EFFC does.

The West African NGO Network was established in 2000, to harness and bring the benefits of the steadily evolving Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector to Non-Governmental Organizations, Government, educational and cultural institutions and the private sector.