Anti- Graft War: EFCC Seeks NBA Collaboration

SAN FRANCISCO, January 17, (THEWILL) – The Head, Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Angela Nworgu, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali, SAN, at the NBA office, Abuja.

Nworgu who congratulated Wali on his election and assumption of office, commended his resolve to fight corruption and by extension money laundering as demonstrated by the constitution of an Anti- corruption Committee within the NBA.

The head of SCUML said her visit to the NBA was informed by the need for the two institutions to partner in the fight against corruption and money laundering.

She appealed to the NBA President to use his position to prevail on members to register their firms with SCUML in line with provisions of the Money Laundering Act 2011, and the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN), as contained in circular number FPR/CIR/GEN/VOL.1/028, which made it mandatory for all Designated Non- Financial Institutions (DNFIs) to register with SCUML. She disclosed that the CBN had directed banks to stop dealing with both new and old DNFIs that have not complied with this directive with effect from February 1, 2013.

The directive which was issued in August 2012 requires banks and other financial institutions to obtain evidence of registration with SCUML before establishing business relationship with designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs).

In his response, Wali thanked the head of SCUML and her team for the visit. He noted that the two institutions are stakeholders in the Nigerian project and pledged to partner with the Commission in the fight against corruption.