The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, urged Compliance Officers of Banks nationwide to refrain from unauthorized disclosure of EFCC’s investigation activities and requests made to banks regarding their customers.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, through the Acting Zonal Director of the Ibadan Zonal Command, ACE I Hauwa Garba Ringim, during a stakeholders’ meeting with Compliance Officers of Banks in Oyo State, Olukoyede emphasized the detrimental impact of Compliance Officers sharing information with clients regarding EFCC’s ‘letters of investigation activities’ to banks.
Such actions, he noted, undermine financial crime investigations and cause delays in prosecuting corruption cases in court.
He decried the unhealthy support fraudsters receive from the banking sector in Nigeria, stressing that it is posing considerable challenges and concerns to the Commission.
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The EFCC’s boss also urged them to always respond to letters received from the Commission with certified true copies including instruments of transactions of beneficiaries or sources, as this will expedite processes of investigation to a logical conclusion. Furthermore, he stated that illegal dealings and trading in naira with the Point-of-sale (POS) operators must stop.
“What we notice and see around lately is that Nigerians can only withdraw a small amount of their money with the banks in Automated Teller Machine (ATMs) but POS operators evidently go around with huge amounts of money gotten from the banks. This is not fair to Nigerians and we must fight it head-on”, he said.
He assured the Compliance Officers of the Commission’s support at all times, as “they remain relevant stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes”.
Reacting to the fundamental issues raised at the meeting, Compliance Officers assured the EFCC of their unwavering support, stressing that they are committed to new dynamics on how the collaborative efforts between the Commission and the banks would be effective.
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