The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has introduced a weekly training programme in Enugu to improve the quality of its investigations and prosecutions, especially in handling complex financial crime cases, according to the Commission’s official post on X.

This initiative, championed by EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, underscores a renewed focus on building stronger legal and investigative skills within the agency as financial crimes evolve in sophistication.

Training Focus: Documentary Evidence and Court Admissibility

The first session in the series focused on Documentary Evidence and Admissibility — teaching operatives how to create, analyse, present and protect documentary evidence in court while following the strict requirements of the Evidence Act 2011.

Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Okoli Chidiebere Anosike, who led the session, explained why documentary evidence is essential for successful prosecution:

“In every investigation, the burden of proof lies with the party bringing the case. This burden is primarily met through oral testimony and documentary evidence.”

Anosike described documentary evidence broadly — including letters, figures, marks, photographs, films, and computer outputs — as indispensable in proving facts during trials.

He clarified that, under Section 258 of the Evidence Act 2011, a document is anything that conveys information intended for recording, whether it comes from a public institution or a private entity.

Ensuring Legal Compliance in Statements

The training also covered extrajudicial statements, which are statements given outside the presence of a judge. Anosike outlined strict legal conditions to ensure these statements remain admissible:

“Before a suspect makes an extrajudicial statement, they must be cautioned: ‘You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say may be used against you in evidence.’”

He noted that statements are video recorded with lawyers present to confirm voluntariness and reduce disputes over admissibility in court.

What Makes Evidence Admissible in Court

Anosike explained the rules governing how evidence must be introduced in trials:

• Primary evidence, such as original documents, is directly admissible.
• Secondary evidence, such as photocopies or digital copies, can be accepted only if the right legal foundation is established.
• In criminal trials, documents must be tied directly to the charge to be considered by the court.