The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has a number of departments that include the Legal and Prosecution Department, the Department of Investigations (former Department of Operations), and the Department of Ethics and Integrity (former Department of Internal Affairs).
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Moreover, the EFCC has 14 Zonal Commands that have been elevated to the status of departments and each is directed by a Director. Nevertheless, the following are the significant departments of EFCC In Nigeria:
Legal And Prosecution Department
The Legal and Prosecution Department within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a department of EFF in Nigeria.
The department contributes towards combating financial crime in Nigeria. They deal with matters related to various statutes such as the Money Laundering Act and the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
Part of their job is to prosecute offenders before the courts after establishing that they have committed the crime. They also offer legal counsel to the other units of the EFCC for the purposes of ensuring that all actions taken are within the law.
Besides prosecuting people who break the law, the department is involved in the recovery of assets. When an individual is convicted of financial crimes, the department ensures that they retrieve any assets that had been gained illegally.
The department works with other law enforcement agencies as well as with regulatory agencies.
Department Of Operations (Now Department Of Investigations)
The Department of Investigations, previously the Department of Operations, is one of the most important segments of the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It is in charge of combating financial and economic crime in the nation. It undertakes investigations into financial crimes of various natures, including advance fee fraud, money laundering, computer crimes, insider dealing, tax evasion, and corruption.
The Department of Investigations’ team gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, and constructs airtight cases against individuals and organizations that are suspected of these crimes.
They work hand in hand with the Nigerian Police Force, the judiciary, as well as other concerned agencies to ensure perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice.
In addition to investigating crimes, this division is responsible for preventing and detecting the offenses as provided for under the EFCC Act. They apprehend suspects, probe their assets and any monies or property associated with them.
The department is responsible for dealing with extradition and international criminal cooperation with respect to financial crimes.
Department Of Internal Affairs (Now Department Of Ethics And Integrity)
The Department of Ethics and Integrity formerly the Department of Internal Affairs is equally among the reputable departments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria.
It is primarily responsible for ensuring that all members of the EFCC work ethically and with integrity. It does this by establishing and implementing regulations on how staff should conduct themselves.
The department conducts trainings for staffers of the EFCC in an effort to make them grasp ethical matters and the significance of honesty in their operations.
Besides its mandate of training, the Department of Ethics and Integrity monitors if ethical standards are being adhered to.
They monitor any allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing and ensure that all actions of members of the EFCC are fair and equitable.
Asset Forfeiture Department
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Asset Forfeiture Department is responsible for the seizure and forfeiture of assets that are believed to have originated from crime.
When the department finds that some assets bear a correlation with crime, it tracks and seizes them. This is when they obtain interim orders of the courts that enable the EFCC to assume possession of the properties as they carry out their investigation.
After an individual is convicted of a crime, the department then pursues final judicial orders of forfeiture of these assets. The department is also responsible for the sale of the seized assets in public sales.
In addition, the Asset Forfeiture Department cooperates with other law enforcement agencies for enhanced recovery of assets.
They operate jointly under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act that informs their process of recovery and management of stolen or illegally acquired assets.
Department Of Security And Chief Security Officer
The Security Department of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ensures the safety of the agency and its workers.
This department ensures that the operations of the EFCC, its staff, and confidential information are safe. This department is headed by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and has a number of primary responsibilities.
First of all, it evaluates risks in order to identify any possible threats that might impact the work of the EFCC. This proactively prepares and safeguards against potential problems before they become issues.
The CSO is also responsible for the protection of EFCC officers, particularly when they handle such risky situations of financial crimes.
Personnel safety is a paramount concern when conducting investigations. Security arrangements are provided by the department for protecting the EFCC’s offices and facilities and blocking unauthorized access as well as protecting sensitive materials from being tampered with.
Along with these activities, the Department of Security works with other law enforcement organizations such as the Department of State Services (DSS).
In addition, when there is a breach of safety or an urgent situation, the department coordinates the response by dealing with the crisis.
