The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, directed local and international non-governmental organizations to submit lists of their beneficiaries in Nigeria’s North-East region.
For more than one decade, several NGOs have been making donations to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the BAY States.
BAY is an acronym for the United Nations (UN) and the humanitarian community coined for Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
EFCC said the submission of names of persons receiving money was mandated by law to help in combating money laundering and terrorism financing in Nigeria.
The Director, Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) domiciled in the EFCC, Daniel Isei gave the charge at an interactive meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Isei said the lists would enable the EFCC to identify and verify the actual beneficiaries of the palliatives and cash provided by donors.
‘‘Our engagement with the NGOs is to ensure and enforce compliance with the regulations and laws against money laundering and to combat financiers of terrorism activities.
“This can only be achievable through proper identification of the beneficiaries of the Aids flows provided by the INGOs”, Isei said.
The director emphasized the need for transparency and accountability by NGOs in the discharge of their humanitarian duties.
Isei reiterated the importance of presenting ‘‘Cash Notification Forms’’ to the EFCC Maiduguri Command for vetting and approval before funds disbursement.
The official said this would reduce the risk of sabotage and bring financiers of terrorism to book.
Isei warned that adequate sanctions as provided by law will be meted to any erring NGOs that refuse to conform to rules and regulations.
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