ECOWAS Agencies Launch Anti-Corruption Protocol in Abuja

Members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have commenced the implementation of a regional anti-corruption protocol aimed at bolstering cross-border investigations, intelligence sharing, and asset recovery. Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and President of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, made this announcement on Tuesday during the inaugural NACIWA Leadership Conference in Abuja.

The protocol, adopted at the Annual General Assembly in October of the previous year, has transitioned from policy to active implementation, allowing member countries to exchange intelligence and conduct joint investigations. Olukoyede reported that this collaboration has already yielded results, with agencies assisting each other in tracing illicit financial flows.

He emphasized Nigeria's leadership role in these regional efforts, given its presidency of the West African anti-corruption network. The conference aims to enhance cooperation in tackling terrorism financing and illicit financial flows through coordinated intelligence sharing.