PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has revealed that the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) have led to the prosecution and conviction of over 100 terrorist financiers in the last two years.
Tinubu made this revelation yesterday in Abuja at the National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Terrorism Financing and Counter-Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) Compliance Summit, organised by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, Tinubu noted that through the AML/CFT strategy, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and the National Drug Control Master Plan, the efforts of key law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities, are targeted at disruption of the criminal financial networks.
According to him, the strategies, in particular, target the most serious offences, which have harmed the country’s reputation globally and caused significant difficulties to honest citizens travelling and doing business internationally.
He said: “To enable more effective responses by our law enforcement agencies, this administration has invested significant resources into their operations, upgrading their human resources and technical capacity. We have also provided an enabling environment that prioritises the rule of law and non-interference in their operations.
“As an outcome of these investments, through the efforts of the Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) the number of investigations and prosecutions being converted into convictions has continued to increase.
“These investigations target the organised groups and barons behind these crimes. The ultimate objective is to dismantle the entire networks that perpetrate these crimes.
“As we seek to build a globally competitive economy which will enable us to enhance the livelihoods of our citizens, we must recognise the importance of ensuring that the integrity of our financial system is sacrosanct.”
The President noted that his administration has made progress in tackling the threats of terrorism and other violent crimes through the gallant action of frontline troops and security agencies.
He however said that in line with the National Counter-Terrorist Financing Strategy, the Federal Government has also enhanced its abilities to identify and pursue those individuals that finance these violent acts.
He said: “By taking away the funds, resources and material support behind Boko Haram and ISWAP, we are denying them the ability to inflict terror on our communities and citizens. We are creating an environment where our rural areas will thrive again.”
The Tinubu administration has also invested heavily in the upgrade of the capacity of law enforcement agencies like the Nigeria Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
