The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) has sought to enhance collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to improve compliance with digital asset trading and eliminate fraud from the country’s stock market.
This request was made in Abuja on Tuesday when the Chief Executive Officer of NGX, Olufemi Shobanjo led a staff delegation on a courtesy visit to EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.
Shobanjo noted that the evolution of fraud has moved from manual to digital across all sectors with criminal elements taking advantage of the digital opportunities to stay a step ahead.
He emphasised the need for NGX to strengthen its collaboration with the EFCC toward the effective protection of the stock market’s integrity.
“I remember we signed an MOU in 2013 which worked many years ago, we want to see how we can bring that back because we need your assistance and support in protecting the integrity of the market.
“In 2024, we saw a very big push in the market, unfortunately with this success, we are also seeing criminal elements looking to take advantage of this. It is time we now looked at how we can strengthen this collaboration.
“For us, we don’t have criminal jurisdiction, but we know your powers are very broad in this area and you have the expertise to support us, especially in protecting the integrity of the market and our investors,” he said.
Responding, Olukoyede commended the desire to strengthen the existing relationship between the two agencies and assured that the commission was ready and willing to collaborate.
“I know you are also concerned with regulatory compliance because the issue of compliance is a key issue. It is part of our mandate to enforce compliance.
‘’Under my administration, we have strengthened our bond with different regulatory bodies, let’s see how we can have a desk where we can work better and attend to you.
‘’I have a special interest in the capital market with respect to the abuse of assets and trades. We will try to review the MoU, make our observations in line with the relevant laws and regulations, and communicate our views to you. We pledge our commitment to this”, he said.
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