Economy
Enugu EFCC Trains Staff On Documentary Evidence, Admissibility
Enugu EFCC Trains Staff On Documentary Evidence, Admissibility
Enugu EFCC trains staff on documentary evidence, admissibility. As part of measures geared towards strengthening the quality of investigations and prosecution, as well as ensure that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, continue to effectively manage complex financial crimes and secure convictions through rigorous, evidence-based investigations, the Commission has stepped up training of its staff on Documentary Evidence and Admissibility in Enugu.
The training, a weekly capacity building programme, initiated by the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, is aimed at examining how documentary evidence is created and articulated, starting from investigation, and how it is presented in court subject to the procedural conditions established under the law, particularly the Evidence Act.
Speaking on the topic, “Documentary Evidence and Admissibility”, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Okoli Chidiebere Anosike of the Legal and Prosecution Department, Enugu Zonal Directorate, described a document, under Section 258 of the Evidence Act 2011 as any matter expressed or described upon by means of letters, figures, marks or by more than one of these means, intended for recording. This includes books, maps, photographs, discs, tapes, sound tracks, films and computer outputs.
According to Anosike, in every investigation, when a matter is brought before a court, there is a burden of proof that lies on the party bringing the case. “Whether you are an individual or an institution, you have the burden to establish the facts in issue. You do this primarily through oral testimony and documentary evidence”, he said.
While noting two main ways to prove a case which include oral testimony and documentary evidence, Anosike listed two categories of document, according to Sections 102 and 103 of the Evidence Act 2011, which include Public and Private Documents. He said that Public Documents are official acts of government emanating from official bodies and tribunals and records from public officers including legislature, judiciary and executive.
“Now, Private Documents are documents emanating from individuals, private companies or institutions not classified as public bodies. However, a private document can become a public document once it enters public custody. For instance, when a petition from a private individual is received, stamped and processed by a public institution, it becomes part of official records and assumes the character of a public document”, he said.
While discussing extrajudicial statements, the prosecutor said that an extrajudicial statement is one taken outside the presence of a judge or magistrate, during investigation. “Before taking such a statement, the suspect must be cautioned: ‘you have the right to remain silent, but anything you say may be taken down and used in evidence against you’ This ensures compliance with legal requirements and protects the voluntariness of the statement.
That is why you see that whenever we are taking statements of a suspect, we must ensure that there is video recording and the presence of the suspect’s lawyer. This reduces the disputes about voluntariness and prevents trial within trial”, he said.
EFCC
He thereafter listed conditions for admissibility of documents which he said must be pleaded in civil cases; must be relevant to the facts in issue; must be admissible under the law and proper foundation must be laid, especially for secondary or computer-generated evidence.
“Primary evidence, that is, the original document is directly admissible and secondary evidence requires proper explanation and foundation. In criminal trials, documents are attached to the proof of evidence, allowing the defence to know the case against them. A document must relate directly to the charge, else, it will be rejected”, he said.
Earlier, while declaring the training open, the Zonal Director, EFCC Enugu Zonal Directorate, Commander of the EFCC, CE Daniel Isei, urged the officers to optimize the exposure that the training is bound to offer.
Tax Laws Will Boost Opportunities, End Poverty, Says Tinubu
Mr Tinubu, who spoke at the commissioning of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that the new reforms will deliver greater prosperity and inclusivity.
“On my inauguration day, I made a solemn pledge that we will move Nigerians from the dimness of uncertainty into the clear light of renewed hope. I committed to confronting structural weaknesses, restoring financial stability, and building an economy anchored in discipline, equity, and opportunity. Today, I stand before you to reaffirm that these words were not rhetoric; they were a covenant with the Nigerian people,” the president said.
Despite widespread criticism, especially from stakeholders, the Tinubu-led administration implemented the re-gazetted tax laws in January.
Mr Tinubu, who stated on Tuesday that the new tax system was designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, explained that the laws were intended to liberate the economy from the constraints of archaic laws and make it more globally competitive.
While commending the Nigeria Revenue Service chairman, Zacch Adedeji, for his exceptional performance and the successful completion of the building, Mr Tinubu said no serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system.
He added, “We are not gathered here merely to commission an edifice. We are here to mark a milestone in a larger national journey: the deliberate strengthening of our fiscal foundation and rebuilding of confidence in public institutions.
“No serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system. No government can demand trust from its citizens when taxation is opaque, inefficient or unjust. That is why this administration took the bold decision to embark on far-reaching tax and fiscal reforms.”
The president further addressed concerns about the new tax reforms, assuring Nigerians of better performance by the revenue service.
President Tinubu
“The reforms are designed to simplify our system, eliminate distortions and create a fair, transparent and investment-friendly environment. Our direction is clear: to have a revenue system that rewards enterprise, supports growth, and ensures that every contribution to the national cause is matched by feasible value for the people.
“The early results are encouraging and fantastic. Mr Adedeji, thank you very much. We are witnessing improved fiscal stability, strength, stronger foreign reserves, a more efficient trade ecosystem and increased investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction,’’ Mr Tinubu said.
Peter Obi: Nigeria Collapsing, Divided Under Tinubu, May Drift into Anarchy If Re-Elected
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi says Nigeria is collapsing and divided under President Bola Tinubu, warning the country may drift into a more devastating situation if he is reelected in 2027.
“The country is collapsing, and if you allow it to go further, it would be worse,” Mr Obi said during the African Democratic Congress convention in Abuja on Tuesday. “We need to work as a united Nigeria for the sake of Nigeria. The country is so divided, so we need unity. The present government has ensured that we remain more divided. Our unity is important.”
Mr Obi, who decried the high poverty rate under Mr Tinubu, further accused the All Progressives Congress-led government of excessive borrowing.
He added, “If you check your indices, when the present government came into being, our poverty rate was 41.6% and 8 million people. Today, we are 63% and 140 million people. So they have almost doubled that.
“When this government came into being, we removed the petroleum subsidy to stop borrowing for services and use the money to develop the country. Today, we are about 200 trillion in debt. Worse still, this government owes contractors; no projects of 2025 have been funded. We have a huge debt and have borrowed more.”
The former Anambra government said the country may descend into disaster, stressing the need for sacrifices among Nigerians.
“We are heading to disaster. I used these figures to show you we are drifting. We all have to work hard because anarchy consumes everybody. We must now sacrifice for the sake of our children. If we don’t do anything, what is happening will take revenge on our children and us,” Mr Obi stated.
Peter Obi
The presidency could not be reached for comment on Mr Obi’s latest allegations.
About 141 million Nigerians were projected to fall into abject poverty in 2026, as Nigeria’s poverty rate was projected to rise exponentially to 62 per cent this year, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Nigeria Economic Outlook published in January.
The report revealed that the poverty rate, which stood at 59% in 2024, rose to 61% (139 million people) in 2025 and is expected to climb to 62% (141 million) in 2026.
PWAC: NNPC Academy’s Adekeye Headlines 2026 PENGASSAN Women Convention
We are delighted to announce that Folashade Adekeye, Director, NNPC Academy, will be a Special Guest at the PENGASSAN Women Annual Convention (PWAC) 2026.
With over 25 years of expertise in Strategic Human Resource Management and Human Capacity Development, Adekeye played a key role in the landmark transition to NNPC Limited under the Petroleum Industry Act (2021). She currently provides stellar leadership at the NNPC Academy, repositioning it as a strategic national and regional training hub.
NNPC
We are proud to see her excellence recognised on this important platform. Join her at the two-day convention, themed ‘The Dynamic Woman,’ on 15th and 16th April 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, commencing at 10:00 AM daily.
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