The Federal Government has secured the conviction of over 100 terrorist financiers within the last two years, President BolaTinubu has disclosed.
At the opening ceremony of the National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Terrorism Financing and Counter Proliferation Financing, AML/CFT/CPF, Compliance Summit, the president said the success was recorded through the collaborative efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF.
His words through Secretary to the Governmentof the Federation, Mr George Akume: “We have made progress to tackle the threats of terrorism and other violent crimes through the gallant action of our frontline troops and our security agencies.
“However, in line with the National Counter-Terrorist Financing Strategy, we have also enhanced our abilities to identify and pursue those individuals that finance these violent acts.
“Through the efforts of the office of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation, we have prosecuted and convicted over 100 terrorist financiers in the last two years,” Mr Akume noted.
The government’s efforts in taking away funds, resources and materials support from Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents has incapacitated them, he added.
Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, which organised the summit,, Hafsat Bakari, urged stakeholders to collaborate with the agency to succeed in mitigating risks and safeguarding Nigeria’s financial system.
According to her, the fight against financial crimes is not one that any single entity can win alone.
“It requires the collective strength and commitment of our political leaders, regulators, financial institutions, law enforcement and security agencies, and international partners.
“Collaboration must be at the heart of our approach if we are to succeed in mitigating risks and safeguarding our financial system,” she said.
While lamenting the 2019 Mutual Evaluation Report conducted by the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, which brought to light areas where Nigeria needed to strengthen its AML/CFT/CPF regimes, she regretted that the country was placed on grey list due to the deficiencies identified.
“As a result of the deficiencies identified, Nigeria was placed under enhanced monitoring by the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) process otherwise known as the so-called Grey List, an outcome that has amplified both the urgency and importance of our collective response.
“The NFIU, in collaboration with our partners, has worked tirelessly to address these findings and implement far-reaching reforms,” she said.
