Cameroon, Nigeria To Collaborate In Anti-Graft Campaign

Cameroon and Nigeria have begun seeking ways to collaborate in fighting corruption in both countries, according to officials of Cameroon's anti-graft body.

Officials of National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC) and Nigeria's anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), met in the capital Yaounde on Wednesday to lay down the guidelines for the collaboration.

"Our coming here is to canvass for greater understanding in terms of relationship, exchange of ideas and information," Mohammed Abba Umar, EFCC's Director of Operations, told reporters.

"It (corruption) is not a problem of one country but all countries in Africa and we appreciate the cooperation between Cameroon and Nigeria," CONAC Chair, Dieudonne Massi Gams said.

Transfer of illicit funds within Cameroon-Nigeria borders is on the rise and there is an urgent need to track down the funds and arrest offenders, the officials said.

"The joint operations can help us to recover lot of looted funds" Umar said.

The collaboration is the first of its kind between the two countries.