RESPOND MORE EFFECTIVELY TO ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNTER- FINANCING OF TERRORISM.... Aregbesola Charges Services Under Its Supervision

Rauf Aregbesola

"The expansion of the global financial system, the lowering of barriers to international travel and the surge in internationally organized crimes combined has provided the immediate source, opportunity and means for converting illegal proceeds into what appears to be legitimate funds known as Money Laundering and Violent Crime".... Aregbesola.

"Money laundering and Financial Crime, a devastating monster that has destroyed the economy and political stability of many nations".... Agba.

In his determination to reduce and possibly, see an end to the menace of money laundering and combating of financing of terrorism in Nigeria, Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged the Services under the supervision of his Ministry to respond more effectively in combating the identified challenges.

Aregbesola made this known in a key note address he delivered while declaring open, a 3-day Capacity Building Workshop in Abuja on Tuesday. 

The workshop being coordinated by the Ministry of Interior with its Services under its supervision; the Nigeria Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp and the Nigeria Correctional Services, is in conjunction with the Nigeria Intelligence Financial Unit. 

He charged officers and participants on  the need to take necessary measures to respond more effectively to Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism in the country.

The Minister during his address, said he noted that money laundering and the fight against violent crime are now a global problem. This is as a result of the confluence of several remarkable changes in the world markets, the growth in international trade, the expansion of the global financial system, the lowering of barriers to international travel and the surge in internationally  organized crimes combined has  provided the immediate source, opportunity and means for converting illegal proceeds into what appears to be legitimate funds known as Money Laundering and Violent Crime that can have devastating effects on the soundness of financial institutions and undermine the political stability of democratic nations.

Aregbesola said that the workshop was organized to develop and enhance the collective capabilities of the security agencies to effectively tackle money laundering, terrorism and financial crimes in the country.

In a statement issued and signed by Blessing Lere-Adams, the Director in charge of the Press and Public Relations Department of the Interior Ministry on behalf of the Honourable Minister, it quoted the Minister as saying that, "criminals used various techniques and mechanisms to obscure the ownership of illegally acquired assets and introducing illegally obtained funds into the stream of legitimate commerce allowing criminals to profit from their illegal activities tents the financial system and create public trust in the integrity of the system".

The Minister stated that the funds are also used to undermine economic, social and political stability through funding terrorism and terrorist related activities such as terrorism and banditry with other serious crime across borders has  continued to proliferate, therefore Law Enforcement agencies and Regulators must work together to prevent, identify, punish and deter financial crimes to have a stable economy for a  better country.

The Director Legal, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy Agba Mni, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore in her welcome address, described money laundering and Financial Crime as a devastating monster that has destroyed the economy and political stability of many nations.

She commended the Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his initiative for the workshop which is geared towards developing the capacity of  Security Agencies.

The Acting CG, of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Idris Isa Jere in his good will message sought  for  more technological equipments to enhance the capacity of the immigration services to improve on their mandate.

Picture: L-R. Director Legal Ministry of Interior. Mrs Jedy Agba Mni, Ag CG. NIS Mr Idris Isah Jere, CG NSCDC. Dr. Ahmed Audi mni, HMI. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Director/CEO NFIU. Mr. Modibbo Hamman Tukur and Rep of CG. NCOS, Controller of Corrections, Mrs Meg Okpala sitting in the front roll with participants from MOI, NIS, NSCDC and NCOS.

The Commandant of the Nigeria Correctional Service Haliru Na'Baba said the seminar will help their mandate to combat terrorism and boost the country's economy. 

In the same vein, the CG of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi mni in his goodwill message said that the technology developed by NFIU which is Crime  Reporting and Investigation Management System- ( CRIMS ) it's an electronic means of transmitting Intels to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and getting feedback through the same medium is already in use and it's very effective and successful in reporting financial crimes. 

Earlier, the Director/CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit. Mr Modibbo Hamman Tukur said the workshop is timely and the synergy of the Ministry of Interior and it's Agencies is relevant to the success of any Anti Money Laundering and Combating the financing of terrorism in Nigeria. 

A number of staff of the Ministry of Interior, Officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp and the Nigeria Correctional Service Facility are attending the 3- day capacity building workshop to sharpen their skill in detecting these illicit financial crimes and reducing it's occurrence to it's barest minimum and total eradication.