News
How To End Economic Crimes, By Rivers AG
Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms has pegged efficient intelligence gathering as a sure resource to combating economic and financial crimes in the country.
Speaking at the 32nd International Symposium on Economic Crime at the Jesus College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, Boms said Nigeria will benefit a great deal in global information and intelligence sharing as it battles the scourge of economic crimes if put in proper use.
He said, “Since economic crimes are part of the global transnational crimes committed in or between different countries, without being based on any particular location and facilitated through the use of internet technology and other techniques, the use of intelligence as the raw material for ensuring the detection and investigation of these crimes must correspondingly respond to the sophistication in nature and perpetration of such crimes.
“The extent to which we manage intelligence and protect the integrity of its sources, analyses as well as their proper utilization determines to a large extent the strength or otherwise of any initiative in the fight against economic crime. The positive use of intelligence to improve the efficacy of investigations and to facilitate the distruption of economic crime may constitute both the sword and shield in the arsenal in the fight against economic crime.”
Boms also stated that the Nigerian police which is “the primary agency established under the constitution and charged with the responsibility for the prevention and apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order and the protection of lives and property” can make great progress in the fight against economic crime and other corrupt practices in partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) using high intelligence and surveillance techniques as obtainable globally as well as the powers invested on them by the law.
“As part of the statutory functions of the EFCC, its empowered to adopt measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from terrorist activities, economic and financial crime related offences or the properties, the values of which correspond to such proceeds; and the coordinated preventive and regulatory actions; introduction and maintenance of investigative and control techniques on the prevention of economic and financial crimes. The EFCC also has responsibility for receiving, requesting analyzing and disseminating to competent authorities disclosures of financial information concerning suspected proceeds of crime and potential financing of terrorism.
“From the existing legal framework on economic crime in Nigeria, it is evident therefore that the use of intelligence is the most potent weapon in the fight against crime. There is also in Nigeria, the money laundering prohibition act as amended, which contain clear provisions that make the use of intelligence mandatory in the detection, investigation and prevention of economic crime… the act provides under section 6 for special surveillance on transactions which have unjustifiable and unreasonable frequency or surrounded by conditions of unusual complexity or appear to have no economic justification of lawful objective or involve suspected terrorist financing. Transactions involving any of the above circumstances are to be reported to the commission by the financial institution or designated non-financial institution, furnishing all relevant information about the transaction including the identity of the principal and the beneficiaries and take appropriate action to prevent the laundering of the proceeds of the economic crime,” he stated.
The Rivers State Attorney-General however decried the Nigerian financial crime law which pitchs lawyers against their clients by mandating them to report suspicious transactions by their clients to the authorities.
He explained that it would be contradictory of the lawyers’ profession to act as both defender and attacker of their clients at the same time, calling for a review of that aspect of the law that makes Nigerian lawyers police detectors against their clients.
“I was here last year and reported then, that in Nigeria, the law now includes lawyers as non financial institutions and thus are expected to report their clients to the authorities if transactions with which they are concerned for their clients are suspect under the law. This therefore is another source of intelligence gathering, but for me a very uninspiring one at that. As I stated then, ours is the only profession in the whole world, not engineering, not medicine, not even the priesthood, but the legal profession that is charged with the enviable onerous and to me a defying duty of defending even the most scoundrel and despicable of persons accused of crime. To expect these professionals to report the same persons they are ethically and statutorily enjoying to defend to the authorities amounts to enjoining somebody to cry and to laugh at the same time, because as you know, when lawyers have big clients, they laugh, to tell them to report to the authorities, they’ll begin to laugh and that is very contradictory.
“Let the police do their work of investigations and detection, let the lawyer do his work of defending or prosecuting depending on where he is called, that way the coast will be clear for a pure and unpolluted investigation and intelligent gathering process. Some of these irksome provisions which put the lawyer as the defender and attacker, the money laundering act stipulate mandatory disclosure of transactions by financial institutions, the prohibition of anonymous accounts and the surveillance of bank accounts for the purpose of ensuring the detection and prevention of economic crime all by or through banks of financial institutions.
“We do not need to pitch the lawyer against his client to make success. If we remove that, we can still attain some milestone. No efforts therefore should be spared by individuals and groups in strengthening intelligence gathering and sharing between states in the collective fight against the global scourge of economic crime,” Boms noted.
The National Coordinator of Embedded Ai -EU Erasmus Project in Nigeria, Prof. Bourdillon Omijeh, has commended the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Rivers State Government for their strategic partnership in organizing the Job Fair 2026.
The Job Fair with theme: “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” took place at Obi International Conference Center, Port Harcourt, last week.
Speaking as Special Guest, Professor Omijeh stated that result-oriented human capital development and trainings focused on relevant skills is the most effective solution to reducing the high rate of graduate unemployment in Rivers State.
He noted that Nigeria is firmly in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), driven by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and 5G.
According to him, these emerging technologies offer enormous employment and entrepreneurial opportunities across critical sectors, including agriculture, power, Telecommunication, oil and gas, healthcare, and security.
He emphasized the growing shift from job seeking to job creation, explaining that youths equipped with 4IR skills can become innovators, solution providers, and founders of startups and new industries.
Professor Omijeh further stated that Nigeria is richly endowed with talented youths capable of competing globally when properly empowered with the right skills, support, and enabling environment.
He called for sustained collaboration between government, the private sector, and educational institutions to build a future-ready workforce and drive inclusive economic growth in Rivers State.
To the over 4000 teeming youths present, Professor Omijeh said, according to Bill Gate, that “Being born poor is not a fault, but remaining poor in a world of opportunity and skills is a responsibility that must be consciously addressed.
“Don’t allow your current circumstances define your destiny. There’s a seed of greatness in you. Sieze any and every opportunity to develop yourself and acquire the requisite skills.
He passionately urged the Rivers State Government to intentionally invest and fund result-oriented training programmes through the strategic Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment and Ministry of Youth Development to increase employability and reduce the rate of graduate unemployment in Rivers State.
He thanked the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Honorable Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom K. Gbali, for this laudable initiative with NECA.
Professor Bourdillon Omijeh is the National Coordinator of the Embedded Artificial Intelligence (EAI) -EU Erasmus Project in Nigeria; Immediate Past Director of Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering Uniport, NCC-Chair Occupant on ICT Uniport; TensorFlow four (4) times award winner on Capacity building on Ai & ML -(2021-2024), CEO-Bourdillon Omijeh Foundation.
As a Professional Mentor, he has facilitated the training of thousands of youths on 4IR- Skills with relevant certifications and evidential engagements.
Follow Prof Bourdillon Omijeh on LinkedIn.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged youths in the state to take advantage of the vast opportunities available to become employers of labour and contribute meaningfully to growth and development.
Fubara said global trends increasingly favour entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that youths in Rivers State must not be left behind in harnessing such opportunities.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, the governor stated this while declaring open the 2026 Job Fair organised by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking on the theme, “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” the governor acknowledged the responsibility of government to create jobs for its teeming youth population but noted that it was unrealistic to absorb all job seekers into the civil service.
“As a government, we recognise our duty to provide employment opportunities for our teeming youths. However, we also understand that not all youths can be accommodated within the civil service.
“This underscores the need to encourage entrepreneurship across diverse sectors and to partner with other stakeholders, including the youths themselves, so they can transition from being job seekers to employers of labour,” he said.
Fubara further urged participants to continually sharpen their skills and explore opportunities within their immediate environment and the global space through digital platforms.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and providing an enabling environment for youths to develop their potential and thrive.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr Chisom Gbali, said the job fair was designed to equip youths with contemporary skills, innovation and mentorship needed to transform them from unemployable to resourceful individuals.
Gbali disclosed that the ministry had rolled out various training and capacity-building programmes in areas such as ICT and artificial intelligence, oil and gas, maritime, and the blue economy.
Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Department of Human Resources Management, Rivers State University, Dr Chris Biriowu, advised participants to remain informed about evolving sources of employability.
He said the labour market was dynamic and shaped by industry-specific demands, technological advancement, management practices and other emerging factors.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, has poured accolades on late Amayanabo of Opobo, HRM Dandeson Douglas Jaja V, saying his footprints went beyond the State.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the wife of the late king, Prof. Odu said the late monarch contributed meaningfully beyond the shores of Rivers State.
“He contributed not only to Opobo, not only to Rivers State, but to Nigeria as a nation. We all know the various positions he held until his passing. For us as a Commission, we are really going to miss him greatly, especially at this time when his guidance was most needed,” she stressed.
She described the late king as a distinguished traditional ruler whose life and service contributed immensely to the development of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
The deputy governor, who also serves as Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Commission, noted that until his demise, King Jaja was an Ex-Officio member of the Commission, representing Rivers South East Senatorial District.
According to her, the late monarch actively participated in several meetings of the Commission and played an important advisory role.
“He actually participated with us in a couple of meetings. It was with great shock that we received the news of his passing. We saw daddy as someone who was very strong, healthy and athletic,” Prof. Odu said.
Prof. Odu explained that the Commission relied heavily on the wisdom of traditional rulers like the late monarch to ensure that its responsibilities were carried out properly and conscientiously.
She assured the family of the Commission’s continued support, saying they will remain close to the family throughout the burial arrangements and beyond.
Addressing the widow, Queen Prudence Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Prof. Odu said the visit was to commiserate with her and encourage her during the period of mourning.
“Please accept our condolences. Please be strong and put your hope in God. The God who watches over widows will never abandon you,” the deputy governor prayed.
“We cannot question God. What has happened has happened. All we can do is to pull ourselves together. That is why we are here to pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you, that God will turn your sadness into joy and clothe you with a garment of beauty,” she added.
Responding, Queen Jaja described her late husband as a gentle, humble man who was deeply committed to the progress of Rivers State, and Nigeria at large.
She expressed gratitude to the deputy governor and other members of the Boundary Commission for identifying with the family in their moment of grief.
“We are praying that his soul will rest in perfect peace. I thank you very much for coming to console me at this trying moment. Seeing you here has given me comfort. God bless each and every one of you,” she said.
She also offered prayers for the delegation, wishing them a long life and good health.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation Letter of Condolence from the Rivers State Boundary Commission to Queen Jaja.
Kevin Nengia
-
News4 days agoOji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara
-
News4 days agoNigeria Has Woken Up From Slumber Under Tinubu – Shettima
-
Featured4 days agoRivers: Impeachment Moves Against Fubara, Deputy Hits Rock …As CJ Declines Setting Up Panel
-
News4 days ago
Nigeria To Begin Exporting Urea In 2028 -NMDPRA
-
City Crime4 days ago
Health Commissioner Extols Fubara’s Commitment To Community Healthcare Delivery
-
News4 days agoKing Jaja Impacted Beyond Rivers -Deputy Gov
-
News4 days agoRivers Unveils Innovation Hub To Empower Youths, Curb Unemployment
-
News4 days ago
US – Nigeria Security Engagement Translating Into Tangible Operational Gains – NSA