HURIWA Supports Presdiential Bid to Make NFIU Independent
A pro-transparency Non-Governmental Organization-HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA HURIWA] has thrown its weight behind the pending executive bill before the National Assembly for the creation of an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Department even as it applauded the determination of the Hon-Adams Jagaba-led Federal House of Representatives' committee on anti-narcotics and financial crimes to see to the passage of the bill before the legislature. The group pleaded with the National Assembly not to succumb to the alleged overwhelming pressure by those satisfied with the slow and compromised pace of anti-graft war to scuttle the passage of this bill.
In a media release issued after the public hearing organized by the Federal House of Representatives on the executive bill to make the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit autonomous, the Rights group through its National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Director Miss. Zainab Yusuf charged the National Assembly to ensure expeditious passage of the bill just as it appealed to President Good luck Jonathan not to delay the signing into law of the proposed legislation whenever his presidential assent is required.
The Rights group said making the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to become fully autonomous and free from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission would serve as effective and professional checks and balances so that officials of the anti-graft commission do not collude with public enemies of Nigeria to undermine the fight against money laundry which has remained the major stumbling block to Nigeria's economic advancement and growth. HURIWA also stated that corruption and economic crimes perpetrated by high profile government officials and leaders of the private sector with the connivance of rogue bankers are solely responsible for the unprecedented level of poverty, hunger and unemployment in Nigeria which consequently resulted in the ongoing state of insecurity of lives and property of Nigerians.
HURIWA stated us; ” We support this initiative by President Jonathan to comply with global best practices by sending an executive bill to the National Assembly aimed at making the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to become totally independent and free from possible emasculation of her intelligent and highly sensitive functions by the police dominated Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and will inevitably reinvigorate the waning fight against corruption which has declined significantly under the current hierarchy of the anti-graft institutions”.