The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is set to work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged financial irregularities involving funds released for US-backed health programmes in Nigeria.
The investigation will cover organisations and groups that received funding under programmes supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), particularly interventions targeting HIV and tuberculosis.
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The FBI made the request during a meeting with EFCC officials in Lagos as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation on financial crimes involving international funds.
According to EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the request was presented by the FBI Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché, Marcus Maccain, during his visit to the EFCC Acting Zonal Director in Lagos.
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Oyewale said the proposed collaboration would strengthen cooperation between the two agencies and support investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving organisations that implemented US-funded programmes in Nigeria.
Maccain explained that the FBI was particularly interested in funds released before the termination of some USAID-supported programmes and how implementing organisations managed money that remained in their possession.
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“We are seeking stronger engagement with the EFCC to establish how the funds were managed and identify possible financial misconduct arising from the termination of the programmes,” he said.
The development comes amid efforts by the FBI and EFCC to deepen cross-border cooperation in investigating suspected financial crimes involving international development funds.