By Tosin Omoniyi, Abuja

The United States, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, on Tuesday donated a forensic work station to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The equipment, technically referred to as Forensic Recovery of Evidence Device, F.R.E.D, was presented to the Head of Operations, Lagos Zonal office of the EFCC, Iliyasu Kwarbai by the United States acting Consul General, Dehab Ghereab.

According to Ghereab, the equipment would be used to enhance the EFCC’s fight against cyber crime and equally standardize its operations.

“As we engage in these practices, we needed our counterparts, so the FBI office made an assessment of the prevailing cases of cyber-based crimes which are not unique to Nigeria,” Ghereab explained.

She also praised the long term partnership between the FBI and EFCC which she noted had existed for more than a decade. She commended the anti graft agency for its professionalism and encouraged it to keep up the good work.

According to technical staff member of the FBI, Fritz Kenelley, the device will help the EFCC in analyzing, processing and preservation of digital evidence which can be presented in court in a clear, concise and understandable manner, thereby aiding judges to adjudicate effectively.

Kwarbai, while receiving the device thanked the FBI for its support to the commission in the areas of manpower development and investigation.

It would be recalled that the United States Department of Homeland Security is currently conducting a five-day training for security personnel, including operatives of the EFCC in financial crimes and tracking of illicit funds.