Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has started profiling Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and other suspects implicated in money laundering and illegal financial flows in Nigeria.
Mrs Azuka Ogugua, the ICPC’s spokesperson, made the announcement on Thursday, June 9, on behalf of the Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye.
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According to Prof. Owasanoye, Chairman of the ICPC, this duty would be carried out properly using the International Police (Interpol) database, and formal notification will be issued to global leaders when tracking the suspects.
Owasanoye was quoted as saying this at the end of a conference in Lyon, France, between the heads of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and top Interpol officials.
He said;
The ICPC will develop the habit of issuing notices especially on high profile suspects. Such notices will be seen globally on PEPs in particular.
The ICPC head also announced that the commission would join Interpol’s Global Focal Point Network as part of attempts to tighten the noose around corrupt and criminal individuals, according to Ogugua.
She went on to say that Interpol is anticipated to assist Nigerian law enforcement authorities by improving information sharing, utilizing the organization’s worldwide suspect database; and preventing incursions and influxes of migrant terrorist combatants into the country.
Interpol also informed the Nigerian delegation on Operation Gemini, a special project focusing on transnational organized crime; including migration, human trafficking, drug trafficking, corruption, and financial crimes.
She stressed:
Under the MoU signed with the Interpol, the Nigerian law enforcement agencies will have unrestricted access to global criminal databases. It is expected that this fresh collaboration will boost the capacity of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to fulfill their mandates.
The Nigerian delegation to the meeting included top officials of the National Central Bureau Abuja (NCBA); Nigeria Police, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS); and also the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Others are Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU); National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) as well as the ICPC.
