“Successful Prosecution Must Begin With Proper Investigation” — EFCC, FEDLAC Train Senior Officers On Case Building

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Forensic Electronic and Digital Law Consultancy have concluded a collaborative capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening the investigation and successful prosecution of economic and financial crime cases.

The programme, themed “From the Crime Scene to the Courtroom: Strengthening the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes”, was held in two cohorts of three days each between November 2 and November 7, 2026, at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja.

Speaking on the training, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, said the programme addressed issues central to effective law enforcement and successful prosecution.

Olukoyede, who was represented by the Acting Commandant of the EFCC Academy, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE 1 Joseph Ogwiji, stressed that a strong prosecution must be built on a properly conducted investigation.

“Successful prosecution must begin with a properly conducted investigation. Evidence must be identified with facts before you, it must be collected, analysed, preserved and presented in a manner that meets legal and professional standards,” he said.

The EFCC Chairman warned that gaps in the investigation and prosecution process, including errors involving witnesses, could jeopardise an otherwise strong case.

He said the collaboration with FEDLAC was therefore designed to sharpen the skills of EFCC officers and improve the quality of investigation and prosecution of cases.

The Chief Executive Officer of FEDLAC and lead facilitator for the two cohorts, Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, retd., commended Olukoyede and the management of the Commission for what he described as their continued investment in developing the capacity of the EFCC workforce.

According to him, the benefits of the training to the Commission would include stronger case building, better preservation and presentation of evidence, closer coordination between investigators and prosecutors, and improved capacity to confront increasingly sophisticated financial crimes.

“For the EFCC, the anticipated benefits of the training are substantial and include stronger case building, building preservation and presentation of evidence, closer coordination between investigators and prosecutors and greater capacity to address increasingly sophisticated financial crimes.

“This improvement can support more effective prosecution, lawful recovery of stolen assets and greater public confidence in the work of the Commission,” he said.

Participants were drawn from the EFCC’s various zonal directorates across the country and its headquarters.

The training covered forensic investigation, forensic document examination and analysis in financial crime cases, overcoming challenges in the successful public prosecution of economic and financial crimes, and effective prosecution of financial crime cases.

Other areas covered included coordination between investigators and prosecutors in case building, sources and management of criminal intelligence, emerging trends in financial crimes, and the principles and practice of electronic and digital evidence.

Olukoyede appreciated FEDLAC for organising the programme and for its continued support for professional capacity development within the Commission.

Participants were also encouraged to actively engage in the sessions, share their experiences and apply the knowledge acquired to their professional responsibilities as part of the EFCC’s continuing efforts to combat economic and financial crimes.

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