US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard M. Mills Jr. has tabled four priorities before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He listed the areas of focus as counter-corruption, financial terrorism, counter-terrorism and money laundering.

He reaffirmed that the robust working relationship between the United States government and the EFCC would continue in order to achieve significant success.

Mills itemised the priority areas when he led a delegation of the US Mission in Nigeria on a familiarisation visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede in Abuja.

A statement by the spokesman of EFCC, Mr. Dele

Oyewale said the Ambassador also promised more information sharing with the anti-graft commission.

The statement quoted Mills as saying: ?I?m very grateful for the relationship we have both through our legal attache and with these other offices here.

?The US government was strongly supportive of the creation of the EFCC when it was established and our relationship has continued since then.

?I?m here today to learn a little bit about what the chairman?s priorities are for the EFCC moving forward; what you see as the key trends in financial crimes that you?re addressing and how the U.S. government and U.S. Mission can assist you, either with information sharing or sharing of expertise, closer cooperation in specific cases.

?Part of the reason we?re so interested in these issues is because they affect both our countries and they affect what we?re both trying to do, which is to create a secure, prosperous Nigeria and build our economies, both the US and the Nigerians?.

He listed four areas of interest to the US Government.

He added: ?This office is at the epicenter of the work being done to counter- corruption, financial terrorism, counter-terrorism, money laundering. And that is a high priority for the US Government and for this mission.

?And as you can see, it involves several offices at the US Mission. Our economic team follows these issues closely, especially anti money laundering, counterterrorism, financing, and has engaged with members of your staff on that issue?.

Olukoyede, who was delighted with the visit, took the delegation on a brief tour of the mandate of the EFCC. ?In the EFCC, our mandate is to fight economic and financial crimes not only to prevent them.

? We have a mandate to prevent, to investigate and where one has occurred to also prosecute and by extension we also recover assets in the course of our work, which are one way or the other subject to the directive of the Federal Executive Council, led by the President to manage them,? he said.

While recognizing that Nigeria over the years has had a beneficial relationship with the US government and its agencies in EFCC?s efforts to sanitize the country?s financial space,

Olukoyede looked forward to amplified relationship with the US government and the US Mission in Nigeria for improved outcomes in the fight against corruption and financial crimes. (The Nation)

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