EFCC trains officers in chain of custody, evidence handling

Stanley Ihedigbo

Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, has kicked off a weekly staff lecture series on the topic: “Chain of Custody & Evidence Handling: Basic Forensic Awareness Training for First Responders.”

According to the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the two-part lecture series is designed to provide foundational knowledge in proper evidence handling, documentation and preservation techniques, critical to maintaining the integrity of forensic documents and digital evidence from the point of seizure to court presentation.

Facilitators at the first session, held on Friday, May 2 session were ACE 11 Joshua Oloye and CSE Alex Ogbole. A total of 25 officers, drawn from the Investigations, Forensics, and Security departments took part in the training and received certificates of participation.

In his remarks, the acting Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC, Ahmad Ghali, who added that the training was part of efforts to build the capacity of the Commission’s operatives in case management, encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge they acquired from the training in their line of duties.

“The training is designed to better equip you to avoid issues and technicalities that may arise during evidence gathering and handling. It will help you minimize potential issues related to technicalities during investigations and prosecution, thereby ensuring effective case management,” he said.