The United States Director of Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Candace Spradley, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its impressive efforts in combating economic and financial crimes. Speaking during a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, January 23, 2025, Spradley described the EFCC’s achievements as outstanding and far-reaching.
Spradley, who recently assumed her role in Nigeria, highlighted her longstanding awareness of the EFCC’s work and its significant contributions to anti-corruption and financial crime efforts. “I learned about the EFCC early in my career and have always been impressed by the organization’s achievements.
The EFCC’s work has earned a remarkable reputation, not just in Nigeria but internationally, including in Washington,” she stated.
During the visit, Spradley emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the EFCC and the U.S. on critical issues such as cybercrime, asset recovery, and anti-corruption initiatives. She noted that these areas are top priorities for the U.S. Embassy and its Ambassador in Nigeria, stressing the importance of transparency and shared efforts in tackling transnational crimes.
In response, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated the commission’s commitment to its mandate. He acknowledged the overlap between the objectives of the EFCC and the U.S. Narcotics and Law Enforcement division, particularly in combating money laundering, which has become a global challenge.
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“There is a clear link between narcotics, money laundering, and other financial crimes. These issues demand international cooperation and synergy, which makes our partnership with the U.S. Embassy and the FBI even more critical. Together, we can intensify efforts to fight these crimes and ensure that our collaborations yield mutual benefits,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC Chairman also raised concerns about the growing involvement of foreign expatriates in internet fraud within Nigeria. Highlighting a recent case where nearly 200 foreigners were implicated in cybercrimes, Olukoyede warned that Nigeria would not tolerate becoming a safe haven for such activities.
“Investigations have shown that some of these expatriates were dislodged from parts of South Asia and have sought refuge in Africa to continue their cybercrime operations. Nigeria will not provide them with an environment to thrive. We are deploying intelligence-driven strategies to dismantle their networks and make Nigeria inhospitable for their schemes,” Olukoyede stated.
