Victor Ezeja
To combat money laundering and terrorism in the Northeast, the ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has charged all International and Local Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs) to provide the lists of beneficiaries of the funds provided for internally displaced persons.
The Director, Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, Daniel Isei, stated this at an interactive meeting with the organization at Maiduguri, Borno State on Wednesday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to him, the lists required from the NGOs will enable EFCC through the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, identify and verify the actual beneficiaries of the palliatives and monies provided by donors so that the funds will be rightly disbursed to the right persons.
Isei who explained that the commission’s engagement with the NGOs was to enforce compliance with regulations and laws against money laundering and to combat financiers of terrorism activities, noted that such can only be achieved through proper identification of the beneficiaries of the aids provided by the NGOs.
He maintained the need for transparency and accountability, and urged all NGOs to present Cash Notification Forms for approval, before funds of any kinds are disbursed, in order to reduce the risk of sabotage and terrorism financing.
The Director warned that adequate sanctions as provided by the law will be meted to any NGO that refuses to conform to the commission’s regulations.
Deputy Coordinator of the Northeast NGOs, Yasmine Chawaf, commended the efforts of the EFCC for its proactive approach towards combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and ensuring that funds are disbursed to the right people in Northeast, Nigeria.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
