•Launch 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre (E-CR2C)
Maureen Okpe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) joined forces with the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC-Phase II) Programme of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to host a National Summit on Cybercrime Prevention on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
The summit, themed “Alternative to Cybercrimes: Optimising Cyber Skills for National Development,” aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of cybercrime and its impact on Nigeria’s economy, financial systems, and citizen safety.
This was contained in a media advisory made available by the Communications Officer, ROLAC II, International IDEA, Mr. Murkthar Suleiman.
According to the statement, the event was to mark the launch of the EFCC’s 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre (E-CR2C), a multi-agency initiative designed to tackle cybercrime threats and incidents in the country. The E-CR2C will serve as a one-stop hub for receiving, investigating, and enforcing court orders against suspected cybercrime activities.
“The summit and E-CR2C launch are crucial anti-corruption measures to address emerging digital challenges and strengthen anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA, supports the EFCC’s efforts,” the statement noted.
“This summit will, therefore, sensitise the citizenry on cybercrime, its negative impacts, and measures for curbing and preventing it. There will, therefore, be an essay competition for select school students on the negative impact of cybercrime followed by the unveiling of a digital response centre where citizens can report cybercrime,” it added.
Key Objectives of the Summit are to raise awareness by educating the citizens, especially youths and parents, about the risks and consequences of cybercrime. It also aims to prevent cybercrime by promoting alternative uses of cyber skills for national development and enhance the justice sector by consolidating reforms in the justice and anti-corruption sectors.
The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Nigeria. The RoLAC II Programme aims to enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in Nigeria, promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the European Union’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Nigeria 2022-2027. Specific objectives of the programme include further consolidating key reforms in the justice and anti-corruption sectors, reducing gender-based violence, and promoting respect for human rights, especially of persons with disability and other marginalised persons in society. The ultimate objective here is the consolidation of the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria.
International IDEA, the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is a 35-member State Inter-Governmental Organisation established in 1995 as a global think-tank committed to supporting sustainable democracy worldwide and the development of democratic institutions and culture.