The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to establish a Forensic Laboratory for effective performance of its mandate.
Hon. Member Abdullahi Bako, said this at the Commission’s Headquarters when the Liaison Officer for the Canadian Royal Mountain Police in Africa, Mr. Rabih Abdallah came visiting.
Bako, who represented the Acting Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, disclosed that some Hon. Members and staff of the Commission had just returned from Ontario Canada where they underwent training at the Computer Forensic Incorporated School. He said that the officers were in Canada to develop skills on how to best check cyber crime in Nigeria.
“We have to enlarge our areas of operation as issues and crimes are becoming more and more sophisticated; so we feel that we must try to be ahead of the fraudsters to be able to check them.
Hon. Bako also disclosed that the Commission was on the verge of establishing an Academy where it will train not only its staff but also staff from other African countries on investigative and anti-corruption activities.
He assured the visitor that the Commission would relate with his office where necessary; adding that with Nigeria and Canada both being members of the Commonwealth and sharing so many things in common, there were several possible positives that could come out this collaboration.
He pointed out that the Commission was determined to giving its staff adequate necessary training for effective discharge of their duties; and that a lot had been done in this direction. He added that the offer for capacity building for ICPC officials by the Liaison Office of the Canadian Royal Mountain Police was a welcome development in that direction and would be explored to the full.
While briefing the Commission, the Liaison Officer of the Canadian Police, Mr. Abdallah, said he was in the Commission to explore ways of mutual assistance