YAKUBU ABUBAKAR SAIDU
Abuja,Nigeria
Summary
Accomplished expert in cryptocurrency investigation and analysis, specializing in blockchain intelligence and asset recovery. Proven track record in dark web and ransomware investigation, with a strong focus on money laundering detection and prevention. Adept at cyber investigation and disruption, financial analysis, and forensic audits. Skilled in threat intelligence, risk assessment, and digital forensic investigation. Recognized cybersecurity expert with leadership experience in training, capacity building, and international cooperation. Committed to advancing global cybersecurity efforts through innovative solutions and strategic diplomacy.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Manager - Head, Regulatory Compliance
AA&T Consulting Services
Abuja, 🇳🇬
2025.10 - 2026.02
- Prepare periodic compliance reports for the managing partner.
- Lead and monitor the compliance team to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
- Develop and maintain the firm's compliance framework, policies, and procedures.
- Monitor regulatory developments (with ICAN, SEC, NRS, CBN, and other relevant bodies) and advice management on implications.
- Lead the design, development, and implementation of cryptocurrency transaction reporting software for clients in the financial sector.
- Conduct compliance risk assessments and oversea internal monitoring and control.
- Serve as the primary liaison with regulators and ensure timely submission of statutory filings.
- Report compliance status, risks, and issues to management and the partners.
- Promote a strong culture of compliance and professional ethics across the firm.
- Provide guidance and training to staff on regulatory and cryptocurrency reporting requirements.
- Lead and mentor the compliance team, ensuring effective collaboration with legal, audit, risk, IT, and client service teams.
Cryptocurrency Fraud Investigator
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Lagos, 🇳🇬
2022.11 - 2025.09
- Investigated cryptocurrency-related crimes, including theft, money laundering, and dark web transactions.
- Utilized blockchain analytics tools to track and identify illicit transactions.
- Collaborated with cryptocurrency exchanges and wallet providers to prevent and respond to security breaches.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of evolving crypto regulations.
- Achieved a 95% success rate in fraud case resolutions.
- Developed training programs for teams on fraud detection techniques.
- Conducted in-depth investigations leading to 20+ successful prosecutions.
- Recovered assets for clients, enhancing trust and satisfaction.
- Expertly traced over $2M in fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions.
- Attended court hearings as a representative witness for my organisation, strengthening the case against offenders.
- Uncovered instances of money laundering through meticulous investigation processes.
- Conducted interviews with relevant parties for information gathering purposes.
- Identified fraudulent activities by closely monitoring financial trends and patterns.
- Provided training sessions on fraud detection to fellow colleagues, boosting their investigative skills.
Senior Investigator
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Lagos, 🇳🇬
2016.12 - 2025.09
- Conduct comprehensive investigations into cybercrime, financial fraud, and economic crimes, utilizing advanced analytical techniques and digital forensics tools.
- Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to disrupt and prosecute transnational criminal organizations.
- Provide expert testimony in court proceedings, ensuring successful prosecution of high-profile cases.
- Develop and implement effective investigation strategies, leveraging threat intelligence and risk assessment.
- Manage and analyze large datasets, identifying trends and patterns to inform investigation decisions.
- Investigated financial crimes, including money laundering, embezzlement, and securities fraud.
- Conducted financial analysis and forensic audits, identifying suspicious transactions and asset concealment.
- Collaborated with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
- Led high-stakes cybercrime investigations with 95% success rate.
- Collaborated with law enforcement to dismantle cybercriminal networks.
- Mentored junior investigators, fostering a culture of excellence.
- Achieved recognition for innovative approaches in financial crime detection.
- Improved team performance with regular training sessions.
- Maintained detailed records of ongoing cases, ensured transparency and accountability at all stages of investigation.
- Ensured adherence to ethical standards, maintained department reputation.
- Managed complex investigative projects, ensured timely resolution.
- Undertook diligent risk assessments prior to executing operations, enhanced safety measures during fieldwork.
- Led high-profile investigations for improved public safety.
- Enhanced internal communication by implementing regular debriefings.
- Streamlined data management processes for efficient case tracking.
- Fostered interdepartmental cooperation with joint task forces.
- Collaborated closely with legal teams to ensure successful prosecutions.
- Facilitated witness interviews to gather crucial information and insights.
- Aided in policy development incorporating best practices from global investigative agencies, boosted overall performance standards within the department.
- Established effective relationships with community leaders, promoted open dialogue on security matters.
- Developed comprehensive reports, facilitated informed decision-making.
- Initiated public awareness campaigns about crime prevention strategies, experienced reduction in local crime rates.
- Coordinated surveillance operations for capturing essential leads in investigations.
- Conducted thorough crime scene analyses for accurate case development.
- Devised tactical plans for undercover operations leading to significant breakthroughs in critical cases.
- Implemented new protocols for increased investigative efficiency.
- Increased accuracy of evidence collection by adopting latest forensic techniques.
- Prepared thorough, accurate case files to support investigations and facilitate arrests.
- Used exceptional interpersonal skills to interview suspects and garner necessary information.
- Assessed threat, harm and risk from intelligence reports and selected management or dissemination options.
- Submitted detailed reports for incident occurrences during on-duty hours.
- Planned and implemented criminal investigations to solve assigned cases.
- Liaised with prosecution partners to manage processes around court proceedings.
- Testified in courts to support case evidence and findings and secure convictions for suspects.
- Secured charges against suspected criminals, gaining desired outcomes for victims and communities.
- Obtained victim and witness statements, documenting evidence to support investigations.
- Prioritised community safety by targeting reductions in crime with police patrols and reporting systems.
- Monitored and followed suspects to gather evidence for investigations.
- Harnessed deductive reasoning and analysis to make informed decisions and conclusions.
- Kept sensitive intelligence safe and secure from unauthorised access.
- Searched restricted-access databases for vehicles or outstanding warrants.
- Arrested and transported suspects to police stations or holding cells.
- Evaluated and reported potential for recruiting informants to gather evidence for cases.
- Gathered evidence carefully at crime scenes, enforcing forensic procedure adherence for accuracy.
- Acquired and served warrants for arrests, searches or other purposes.
- Operated firearms and non-lethal weapons to subdue and arrest suspects.
- Completed extensive risk assessments when conducting investigations.
- Interviewed suspects and witnesses to gather evidence.
- Stayed up-to-date on the latest laws, procedures and investigation best practices through training.
- Attended court hearings to testify, provide evidence and support witnesses or victims.
- Analysed investigation facts to find links within cases.
- Completed detailed reports on case and evidence findings to determine outcome.
- Directed investigators and other law enforcement personnel at crime scenes.
- Cultivated relationships with external agencies, schools and social service organisations.
- Collected evidence at crime scenes following proper protocol to reduce evidence contamination.
- Assessed witness or suspect behaviour to determine statement credibility.
- Employed proper detaining procedures and followed protocols when making arrests.
- Collected intelligence using open sources and monitoring phone calls.
- Planned and participated in large-scale criminal raids.
- Complied with legal requirements when using firearms and weapons.
Education
Master - International Relations and Diplomacy
Nasarawa State University
Keffi, Nigeria 2021.01 - 2024.01
B. Sc - Public Administration
Nasarawa State University
Keffi, Nigeria 2013.01 - 2018.01
Diploma - International Studies
Nasarawa State University
Keffi, Nigeria 2010.01 - 2012.01
Skills
- Cryptocurrency investigation and analysis
- Cryptocurrency tracing and asset recovery
- Blockchain intelligence
- Dark web and ransomware investigation
- Money laundering detection and prevention
- Cyber investigation and disruption
- Financial analysis and forensic audits
- Threat intelligence and risk assessment
- Open source intelligence (OSINT)
- Digital forensic investigation
- Cybersecurity expert
- Leadership and team management
- Training and capacity building
- International cooperation and diplomacy
Certification
- Fundamentals of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) (2025)
- Cryptocurrency Fundamentals and Blockchain Intelligence (2023)
- Chainalysis Reactor Certification (CRC) (2023)
- Chainalysis Cryptocurrency Fundamental Certification (CCFC) (2022)
LANGUAGE
English
Hausa
REFERENCE
Available upon request.
Accomplishments
Successfully led teams of investigators in a high-profile cryptocurrency theft case, resulting in the recovery of stolen assets. Worked with cryptocurrency exchanges and wallet providers to prevent and respond to security breaches. Utilized blockchain analytics tools to track and identify illicit transactions.
COMMENDATION/AWARD
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Certificate of appreciation for international joint operation in combatting cybercrime of financial sextortion (August 2023), The United States Department of Justice, FBI Certificate of recognition for an outstanding collaboration and participation to combat business email compromise (BEC) (October 2019)
Affiliations
Member, Africa Cryptocurrency Working Group (2022-Present)
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
- Advance Course on Cryptocurrency and Blockchain,Technology- FBI, US Secret Service, Livingstone, Zambia (August 2025) Focus areas: Cryptocurrency tracing and seizure.
- Advance Course on Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology- International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), Gaborone, Botswana (January-February 2024) Focus areas: Dark web, Ransomware, and Money Laundering.
- Cryptocurrency Fundamentals and Blockchain Intelligence- Missouri Office of Homeland Security, United States of America (2023).
- Chainalysis Reactor Certification- Chainalysis Academy, FBI, US Secret Service, US Department of Homeland Security, and International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (July 2023).
- Chainalysis Cryptocurrency Fundamentals Certification- Chainalysis Academy, FBI, US Secret Service, and International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (November 2022).
- Cryptocurrency Investigation Techniques- EFCC Academy Karu Abuja (February 2023)
- Capacity Building and Institutional strengthening for investigators and prosecutors- The Discovery Cycle Professionals (DCP), Lagos Nigeria (august 2021)
- Strategic Leadership Development and Effective Security Management- mountain school shere hills Jos (August 2017).
Timeline
Senior Manager - Head, Regulatory Compliance
AA&T Consulting Services
2025.10 - 2026.02
Cryptocurrency Fraud Investigator
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
2022.11 - 2025.09
Master - International Relations and Diplomacy
Nasarawa State University
2021.01 - 2024.01
Senior Investigator
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
2016.12 - 2025.09
B. Sc - Public Administration
Nasarawa State University
2013.01 - 2018.01
Diploma - International Studies
Nasarawa State University
2010.01 - 2012.01