By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has organized a one day investigative training workshop for journalists on effective reporting of money laundering and terrorism financing.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that the workshop was held on Thursday at EFCC Zonal Command’ Conference Hall in Maiduguri.
The EFCC Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, said the workshop was part of the anti-graft agency’s efforts to build synergy with the media and to enhance its understanding in reporting cases of money laundering.
Represented by the Assistant Commander of the EFCC, North East Zonal Office, ACE Johnson Oshodi, the EFCC boss said the media are critical stakeholders to the Commision as it helps to sensitize the people on the ills of corruption and economic crimes.
He said: “The media potentials to inform and educate the people is crucial for us. We believe that on our own we cannot win the war against corruption without a buy-in by the people. “
“This is why the support of the media is invaluable. We need the media to help sensitize the people on the ills of corruption and economic crimes.
“The decision of the Commission to sponsor this workshop underscores the importance which it attached to the role of the media in the fight against corruption and economic crimes,” Bawa said.
According to him, “the papers that will be presented today have been carefully selected to draw attention to areas of concern in the fight against corruption, especially money laundering and terrorism financing.”
” I believe we are all aware of the new mechanism for the fight against money laundering in our country. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 are new legislations designed to prevent and tackle illicit financial flows and money laundering.
“Nigerians need to be more informed about these important legislations. Part of our objective today is to acquaint you with the important provisions of these laws and how they can be applied to check money laundering activities and the financing of terrorism.
“In terms of the financing of terrorism, we are in a region that have borne the brunt of terrorist activities in Nigeria. The insurgency in this region led to the loss of hundreds of lives and left public infrastructure in ruins. The question which many of us have asked, and which should engage our minds today, is who are the financiers of the various terrorist groups?
“As journalists, we should not only ask questions but be prepared to use our investigative tools to find answers. As a consequence of the insurgency in this region, we now have a proliferation of Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs, doing charity work in this region.
The Area Commander further explained that,” while this is commendable, unfortunately, the activities of a few charlatans have called the altruistic commitment of others to question.”
“A prominent woman, Mama Boko Haram, was investigated by the Commission, prosecuted and convicted for using her NGO for fraudulent purposes. This should not be allowed to continue. The ordeal of this region in the hands of terrorists should not be exploited for pecuniary gains.
“The Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2023 makes it mandatory for Non-Profit Organizations to register with the Special Control Unit. Against Money Laundering, SCUML. Section 56 of the Terrorism Act also empowers SCUML, which is now fully domiciled in the EFCC, to refuse or revoke the registration of any NGO linked to terrorist groups.
‘As journalists, you have a duty to investigate whether NGOs operating in the region are in compliance with the law. Where you have incontrovertible evidence of non-compliance or outright criminality, it is your moral duty to expose such.
“Finally, let me assure you that the EFCC remains committed to its mandate of eradicating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. A lot has been achieved in the 20-year history of the Commission both in terms of asset recovery and the investigation and prosecution of persons indicted for corrupt practices.
” No agency in Nigeria can boast of the record of the EFCC in these areas, but I am confident that with the support of the media, more can still be achieved,” Bawa said.
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