Stakeholders in the Nigerian financial sector have urged the judiciary not to relent on the fight against financial and other related frauds in a bid to safeguard the economy.

Rising from the 5th e-fraud conference organized by the Electronic Payment Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) in Lagos, the stakeholders issued a communiqué identifying the judiciary as strategic partners to stem fraud.

The communiqué signed by Mrs Onajite Regha, chief executive officer of E-PPAN read: The criminal justice process in Nigeria in relation to electronic frauds is evolving with relevant laws still being enacted and law enforcement agencies and judicial system still in the process of understanding the technicalities of the issues.

“The entire process is made up of Laws, Institutions and Processes. Participants welcomed the formation of a collaborative strategy between the judiciary, the law enforcement agencies and the financial industry. They offered the industry their full support to strengthen justice and to implement policies and procedures that ensure that all components of the process are effective. All of these measures are necessary in order to successfully combat electronic payment crimes which threaten the entire payment framework”.

The conference participants averred that electronic payment fraud is a threat not only to individuals and corporate organisations but to the entire nation. Its cost implication can be measured through its economic and social impacts.

“It affects job opportunities and reduces standard of living. It diminishes national image, affects consumers’ confidence, ruin big brands and erodes international confidence in the authenticity of our payments systems. They condemned the acts of fraudsters who gladly exploit the anonymity, global reach, speed and cost effectiveness of the electronic payment system to pursue criminal endeavours,” the Communique read.

According to the statistics provided by NIBBS, in the first 9 months of 2014, the industry had lost over Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Ten Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Six Naira, (N4, 810,262,266). Participants agreed to cooperate and do everything to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

All participants accentuated the urgent need to enhance awareness creation at different levels of the criminal justice chain, which includes staff of financial institutions, the law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

They decried the situation where the prosecutors and the judiciary are not invited to be part of knowledge event.

To that effect, the industry committed to supporting the judiciary and law enforcement agents with awareness and trainings on trends and techniques of electronic crime.

“The participants recognized the role of the judiciary as strategic partners to stem fraud. The Chief Judge of Lagos State reaffirmed the commitment of the judiciary to the fight against electronic payment crime.  She advised investigators and prosecutors to pay great attention to details and be meticulous to ensure investigations stand the scrutiny of the courts  since the courts decisions are based on evidence.

“The participants agreed that the role of the judiciary remains unchanged as the resolver of disputes, interpreter of the law and defender of the Constitution. What must change however, are the tools and resources to tackle crimes.

“Participants proposed a practice direction from the judiciary to accept opening statements in cases of electronic fraud to assist the court in understanding the gravity of offences before the court. The advantage of an opening statement is that both attorneys at the earliest opportunity are able to give a brief summary of their case and highlights the evidence they intend to lead in support or defence of the allegation.

“A well planned opening statement serves as a road map of the trial. Participants welcomed the prospect of working on an action plan to improve the knowledge of the judiciary as it relates to types, modus operandi and consequence of electronic fraud.

“The status of the current laws in Nigeria shows that the delay in the cyber crime law has its negative effect in the criminal justice process. There is need for accelerated passage of comprehensive laws on payment system e.g. the Payment System Management Bill and other relevant laws that can support the structure of the payment systems”.

The passage of the Evidence Act of 2011 has improved the opportunities for prosecution of criminals.

However, the deficiency of expertise in digital forensics within the banking sector impairs adequate evidence to prosecute fraudsters that are apprehended and charged to court.

Participants therefore called for an industry wide forensics laboratory and capacity building of experts in digital forensics.

Reiterating their support for E-PPAN, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) requested further cooperation of the financial institutions, ISPs, and telecommunication companies for crime investigators and prosecutors.

They lamented the current information sharing process within the industry.

The participants agreed that all parties involved in the e-Payment ecosystem should carryout due diligence and detailed background checks on employees before employment.

The Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) hosted the 5th Annual Payment Systems and Fraud Conference on the 4th of November, 2014 with the theme: “Unbundling the Criminal Justice Process in a Digital Economy”.

Delegations came from thirty four companies to strategize on collaborative opportunities on achieving a smooth and speedy prosecution of financial crimes.

The communiqué acknowledges the push on the critical need for education and awareness within the criminal justice process and the crucial role of collaboration amongst stakeholders in ensuring the success of crime reduction within the cyber space.

The conference participants (Abbey Mortgage Bank, Altech West Africa, Central Bank of Nigeria, Computer Warehouse Group, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Digital Encode, Eartholeum Networks, E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria, Enterprise Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank, ITEX Integrated Services, Lagos State Judiciary and Mainstreet Bank Plc.

Others are Money4 Nigeria Services Ltd, Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement Systems, P O. Jimoh- Lasisi and Associates, Socketworks Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unified Payments Services, and VoguePay ) expressed their commitment to the development of a formidable electronic crime justice process.