The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has strengthened its partnership with the British Home Office to combat organised immigration crimes between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
This development came during a high-level courtesy visit by a delegation from the British Home Office International Operations Team to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, emphasized the Commission's openness to strategic partnerships in fighting corrupt practices, including transnational crimes such as immigration-related offences.
"The Commission remains willing to contribute its institutional expertise and investigative tools to support ongoing efforts under the framework of the Organized Immigration Crime Unit," Mr. Oparaodu stated.
He further highlighted the ICPC's readiness to provide digital forensic support, particularly in extracting and analyzing electronic evidence from digital devices—a crucial component in complex cross-border investigations.
The British delegation was led by International Liaison Officer, Mr. Cora Oakley, who explained that the visit aimed to update the ICPC on the current focus and strategic direction of the Organized Immigration Crime Unit (OICU).
According to Oakley, the OICU is a collaborative initiative that brings together experienced investigators and prosecutors from both Nigeria and the United Kingdom to jointly combat organised immigration crimes.
The British official elaborated on the successes already recorded by the OICU, noting that several major investigations had resulted in arrests, with sustained efforts underway to dismantle criminal syndicates exploiting the immigration systems of both nations.
Oakley acknowledged the significant role that cooperation with Nigerian agencies like the ICPC has played in achieving these milestones. He revealed that the British Government, through the Home Office, has provided vital support to the OICU through training programmes, investigative software, operational equipment, and a dedicated vehicle to enhance the Unit's mobility and efficiency.
Emphasizing the importance of continuous collaboration, Oakley reiterated the UK's commitment to addressing abuses of its immigration and visa systems perpetrated by organised criminal networks.
The British official outlined plans to expand the capacity of investigators through intermediate-level training sessions and announced an upcoming Immigration Crime Summit to be hosted in the United Kingdom.
In a significant development, Mr. Oakley revealed that the ICPC has been officially included as a key participant in the forthcoming UK-Nigeria bilateral talks scheduled for later this year.
He noted that the ICPC's previous collaborations with the UK have been instrumental in shaping effective strategies and joint operations in tackling immigration-related corruption and organised crime.
The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to build on existing successes and strengthen operational and strategic ties between the two countries in their shared mission to combat corruption and transnational organised immigration crime.
