PIAC and EOCO sign agreement to investigate oil revenues

ACP K.K. Amoah (far right), Executive Director of EOCO and Dr. Steve Manteaw, (2nd from right), President of PIAC, signing on the Memorandum of Understanding for their respective organizations

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of the Commissioner for Organized and Economic Crime (EOCO) on Monday to badist with the investigation into the use Government revenue from oil and gas to prevent misappropriation and criminal abuse.

the Investigations, starting in 2011, when the country begins to collect oil revenues, would ensure that all money paid to the state is accounted for, so that all persons or institutions are convicted. be treated in accordance with the law.

The Memorandum of Understanding would allow partners to work together to preserve oil revenues from criminal abuse in order to combat economic and economic crime. organized crimes related to the management and use of revenues.

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It would also ensure efficient, transparent and accountable revenue management to support the development of national infrastructure and the well-being of the population.

At the signing ceremony in Accra, Dr. Steve Manteaw, President of PIAC, said that since PIAC 's inception in 2011, it had been forced by the law that established it and therefore did not have the legal capacity to prosecute and prosecute. implement the recommendations from its conclusions.

It is in this context that the two institutions, with distinct but mutually reinforcing mandates, decided to work together.

Dr. Manteaw initialed on behalf of PIAC, while m Kwasi Korankye Amoah, Executive Director of EOCO, signed on behalf of his office.

Define the terms of reference of the agreement, Dr. Manteaw stated that PIAC would invite EOCO to launch its semi-annual and annual reports, submit copies of the report to EOCO, highlighting the relevant sections to be reviewed, and then review and provide to EOCO the supporting documents pertaining to the sections. highlighted.

In addition, PIAC would use EOCO during the investigations, if any, while it was expected to inform PIAC at regular intervals of progress in its investigations.

Therefore, at the end of its investigations, EOCO is expected to submit an official report to PIAC, highlighting its findings and actions.

However, the MoU would not prevent PIAC from participating in similar activities or agreements with other entities or government agencies.

Further, the Agreement would have a duration of five years from the date of signature, unless it is revised or terminated by a written agreement of the Parties and they could review the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding. 39, agreement every year to ensure its implementation.

"We are confident that PIAC-EOCO collaboration will be a useful example of how state agencies with similar mandates can collaborate rather than compete to achieve their common goal." Dr. Manteaw, pointed out.

"We are hopeful and eager to serve the national interest much better, through the concerted pursuit of our respective accountability mandates."

m Amoah, for his part, said the agreement would broaden the scope of his investigations, explaining that the law that created the office gave him the mandate to investigate financial matters affecting the state.

Again, the Bureau could investigate economic issues of interest to the state, including tax evasion, money laundering and serious offenses. offenses which affected the nation.

He added that EOCO had collaborated with international agencies such as Economic and Nigeria's Financial Crimes Commission and local government agencies to address financial malpractices.

"In the past, people saw in EOCO a monstrous institution and it was not supposed to go there. Sometimes, when you invited a friend to visit him, they came with a lawyer, "he said.

"This system disappears quickly, which is why we have a Charter. In the Charter, you file your complaint with us and you later come to ask for the status of the complaint that has been reported, and we have every right to tell you where we are and where we are going ", m Amoah said.

EOCO Boss badured that he would work with PIAC and sometimes invite them to join the surveys so that he is aware of PIAC's results.

After the investigation, he said, the report would be submitted to the Attorney General's Office and the Attorney General to decide whether or not to proceed with the prosecution.