GIABA blames weak judiciary for economic, financial crimes

The weakness in the criminal justice system of some ECOWAS states and porous borders have been blamed for the prevalence of money laundering and terrorist financing in the sub-region.

Speaking at the opening of a three-day joint GIABA/EGDC Forum on Gender and Youth Dimensions of Financial and Cross-Border Criminality in West Africa, the Deputy Director General of GIABA, Mr. Brian Anku Sapati, said the perpetrators of transnational crimes have continued to exploit the inherent weakness in the system to escape arrest, prosecution and punishment.

“They take advantage of the porosity of our borders and play on the frequent reluctance of law enforcement authorities to engage in complicated and expensive transnational investigations and prosecutions,” he said.

In her address, the Director, ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, Mrs. Sandra Oulatefattah, said women and children were becoming active participants in violent extremism and crimes as well as being victims themselves.

According to her, every year between 3,800 to 5,000 girls and women were reported as victims of human trafficking in the subregion, just as she highlighted their growing involvement in economic and financial crimes.

“As victims of violent extremity and other criminal activities, women and children continue to suffer various forms of indignity, including death, gross human rights abuse, adduction, sex, slavery, rape and all forms of sexual abuse,” Oulatefattah said.