NEWS UPDATE: EFCC LAUNCHES ‘EAGLE EYE’ APP TO EASE FINANCIAL CRIMES REPORTING.
By: Emmanuel Adefeso (Esq.)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday the 14th day of July, 2021 launched a computer application known as “Eagle Eye”, to ease the reporting of economic and financial crimes to the commission. Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Chairman of the Commission, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, stated as follows: “the application was designed to complement existing channels of reporting crimes. A unique advantage of the application was the elimination of direct person-to-person interface in the reporting process, thereby guaranteeing anonymity and an added incentive for effective whistle blowing. For us at the EFCC, this event is unique in several ways. It’s the first of its kind by any law enforcement agency in the country. Secondly, it’s the product of ingenuity by a staff of the commission, being an application that was initiated, designed and developed by the EFCC. Thirdly, it’s a clear demonstration of my pledge, on the assumption of office, to run an agency that’s technologically driven”.
Furthermore, Mr Bawa said that “the Eagle Eye presents a new experience, a new information-sharing tool between the public and the EFCC. With the App, those who are afraid of reporting cases of corruption to the commission, either for fear of being identified as a partner or having their identity reviewed, can now do so with the assurance of full secrecy. I, therefore, appeal to members of the public to take advantage of this application in bringing cases of corruption and economic crimes to the knowledge of the EFCC,”
In explaining how the app works, the EFCC chairman said that “with the Eagle Eye, Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike can easily take pictures of property suspected to be fraudulently or corruptly acquired and report through the App. With the Eagle Eye, you have at your fingertips a device that will ultimately ensure that there is no hiding place for corrupt persons in Nigeria. The app is a friendly computer application with features that can be navigated by any literate person. The first step is to download the App on one’s device, take pictures and upload pictures. There is a column requesting for the sender’s phone number and address, in a bid to discourage malicious reporting,” he added. He, however, warned the public to be wary of “fake accounts, stating that there were lots of fake accounts on the net carrying EFCC logo”.
The introduction of computer application in combating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria is a commendable initiative by the EFCC. Just as computer and the internet have been manipulated by criminals to commit crimes, the EFCC is blazing the trail for other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria that technology can also be used to combat crimes and promote the rule of law in Nigeria. The app, named “Eagle Eye” will serve as an alternative to the traditional method of reporting people or organisations suspected to be engaged in corrupt practices. This shows that the commission is tapping into emerging technologies to rid Nigeria of corruption.
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