The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deepened its partnership with the British High Commission to tackle organized immigration fraud through specialized training on document forgery.
Held on May 15, 2025, in Lagos, the workshop was organized by the British Deputy High Commission’s Home Office International Operations. It aimed to strengthen EFCC officers’ skills in detecting forged documents and preventing fraud.
CE Michael Nzekwe, Zonal Director of EFCC’s Lagos Directorate 1, praised the collaboration, stating, “This aligns with our core value of stakeholder engagement. Given the transnational nature of financial crimes, this training is timely and crucial.”
Mr. Coran Oakley, International Liaison Manager at the British High Commission, highlighted the importance of joint efforts: “By analyzing security features in British and Nigerian passports, EFCC operatives will be better equipped to spot fraudulent documents during investigations.”
The training covered forgery techniques such as document alterations, simulations, and digital manipulations. Interactive sessions and case studies provided practical experience in identifying fakes.
CSE Paul Terhemba, Head of the EFCC’s Visa & Migration Fraud Section, noted the training’s value: “We often encounter fraudulent documents used to exploit victims financially. This will improve our ability to detect and escalate such cases.”
Participants, including DSE Okoronkwo Onyekachi and ASE Timileyin Benson, praised the training. Onyekachi learned new security features, while Benson gained sharper skills in distinguishing genuine documents from counterfeits.
The EFCC remains dedicated to upskilling its personnel through strategic partnerships, reinforcing its mission to combat economic and financial crimes.
