From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed on Wednesday that 146 of 194 foreigners arrested for cybersecurity attacks relating to financial crimes in the country, are currently serving their jail terms in the country after it successfully secured their prosecution and conviction.
Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the International Cybersecurity Conference organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Noting that majority of the foreigners disguised as Nigerians with stolen identities to defraud unsuspecting individuals and institutions in the country, Olukoyede said, they would serve their jail terms before being repatriated to their country.
“Last year, we 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 prosecution and conviction of 146 of them. They will serve their jail terms and will be repatriated to their respective countries”, he said.
He commended the FBI, Interpol and other international security institutions for their support in ensuring successful prosecution of the cyber criminals.
The Conference is being attended by the National Security Adviser, 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.
