The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, has reported a rising surge in cybercrimes among the country’s youth population.
These financial crimes, driven by economic challenges and the allure of quick wealth, threaten Nigeria’s reputation and future development.
In response, the Commission has committed to training youths convicted of cybercrime to use the internet for honest means of livelihood. While the mission to rehabilitate cybercrime convicts is applaudable, it addresses only part of the problem.
More proactive measures are essential to curb cybercrime before it occurs. Preventive strategies, such as sensitizing Nigerian youths to the dangers of financial cybercrimes, are critical to changing the narrative and steering the country’s youth toward more productive endeavours.
Driving this vision forward is Amarachi Ndubuisi, a young legal professional who exemplifies the EFCC’s commitment to combating cybercrime.
Called to the Nigerian Bar in December 2022, Francisca has already made remarkable strides in her role at the Commission’s cyber-legal unit. Her work embodies the proactive and rehabilitative strategies championed by the EFCC, focusing on both enforcement and education to ensure a safer digital environment in Nigeria.
In 2021, she graduated with honours from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She went on to the Nigerian Law School where she also graduated with honours.
As a legal practitioner, Amarachi works in the cyber-legal unit of the EFCC where she prosecutes cyber-financial crimes and conducts legal research to drive cyber policy reforms and practices. According to her, this work aligns with her passion for ensuring Nigeria realizes Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
By leveraging technology and digitalization, Amarachi believes Nigeria can build stronger, more transparent systems that deter criminal activities and protect its digital economy.
Earlier in the month, Amarachi, together with members of the legal studies team at EFCC, executed an anti corruption educational awareness campaign in the rural South-South area of Nigeria, covering states like Akwa-Ibom and Cross River.
The campaign aimed to educate the public on the dangers of corruption and financial crimes, focusing particularly on youth and students.
As part of this initiative, Amarachi visited the University of Calabar in Cross River State, where she delivered an engaging session to students about the dangers of financial crimes and other cyber threats.
Her message was clear: “Young Nigerians are known for many great things in the world; cyberfraud should not be one of them. We need to rewrite the narrative now!”
Francisca’s interaction with the students was both inspiring and thought-provoking. She emphasized the importance of integrity in building a successful career and highlighted the long-term consequences of engaging in cybercrime, including legal penalties and reputational damage.
Drawing from her experiences as a prosecutor, she shared real-life examples of cases she had handled, illustrating how cybercrime often leads to a cycle of regret and lost potential.
Beyond her work in prosecution and public education, Francisca harbours ambitions to further her studies in cybersecurity law and policy in the United States.
She aspires to lead a global cyberwar against cyber threats and attacks, contributing to the protection of the world’s critical cyber infrastructures. Her vision extends beyond Nigeria, aiming to address the global challenges posed by cybercrime and ensure the safety and security of digital ecosystems worldwide.
As Amarachi continues to balance her prosecutorial duties and research endeavours with public education, her impact on the intersection of law and technology is undeniable. She is a testament to the power of young professionals driving change in critical sectors, paving the way for a more secure and transparent digital future in Nigeria.
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