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EFCC Seeks Stiffer Sanctions For Financial Crimes

Published

16 years ago

July 10, 2010

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Farida Waziri has advocated stiffer sanctions for perpetrators of financial crimes.

Waziri spoke at a public hearing, midweek, held by the House of Representatives Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes.

The hearing was on the bills for an Act to provide for measures to combat terrorism and related matters and one to repeal the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2004.

The Weekend Tide source reports that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and some other anti-money laundering agencies had placed Nigeria on their watch list.

The action led the Federal Government to inaugurate the Presidential Inter-Ministerial Committee to address identified weaknesses in the nation’s anti money laundering crusade. Waziri said the sanctions regime in the 2004 Act was not proportional as to discourage criminals, noting that the existing laws were ambiguous in defining the 20 offences the FATF categorised as money laundering and financial crimes.

“There is a need for the Money Laundering Prohibition Act (MLPA) to recognise and designate the 20 serious offences as recommended by the FATF.

“The bills, when passed, will also address the wide range of inadequacies in Nigeria’s AML/CFT legal framework as highlighted in country’s 2008 Mutual Evaluation Report by the FAFT and the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA),” she said. According to her, Nigeria is rated non-compliant in majority of the FATF’s 40 recommendations, mainly on account of weakness in the country’s legal framework.

Waziri reminded the committee that Nigeria had been the target of review by the FATF on account of the weakness observed in the nation’s anti-money laundering regime and her readiness to combat terrorism.

She identified weak sanctions regime, inadequate provisions for customer, due diligence requirements, non-inclusion of politically exposed persons and lack of definition of suspicious transaction reporting as some of the weaknesses.

Waziri also cited the absence of legal protection for reporting institutions and persons and absence of legal provisions for the protection of information of Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

She said most countries have laws to protect informants so that they would not be endangered. “ We need to protect you (informants) so that we can encourage people to come forward, that is the whistle blowing we are talking about,” she said.

In his presentation, Mr Lanre Ipinmisho, Director-General of Nigeria Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said all stakeholders must play a role by collaborating with one another in fighting corruption and drug related offences.Ipinmisho said it was through collaboration of all anti graft agencies and security outfits that the issue of drug barons and corruption would be dealt with.“As the nation prepares for 2011 elections and we want our votes to count, the problems we have is not the laws to implement all these but the commitment and sincerity of all relevant agencies.“We have all the laws; we also need the officers to implement the laws without pressure from international friends to deal with the drug barons who were ready to use their ill gotten wealth to rig elections in their favour,’’ he said.Declaring open the public hearing, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, said that all terrorist acts are crimes under international law, adding that legislation and gathering of intelligence must be used to combat terrorism. Represented by the House leader, Hon. Tunde Akogun, Bankole, pledged early passage of the two bills.He assured that the House would ensure transparency, probity and accountability in legislating against terrorism, money laundering and corruption.Chairman of the committee, Rep. Rabe Nasir, said it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to fight terrorism and money laundering as both were capable of ruining a nation.Nasir, however, said the committee was dissatisfied with the efforts of anti graft agencies in combating money laundering.The Weekend Tide source reports that there were presentations from the Central Bank of Nigeria, NFIU, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps and Securities and Exchange Commission.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor