The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has warned Non-governmental organizations in the North-East against financing terrorists groups in the region.
According to The PUNCH, this was stated by the chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, in Maiduguri on Thursday, April 27.
The Anti-graft boss stated that the agency will revoke the registration of any NGO operating in the region found to have a link with any terrorist group.
Speaking through the Maiduguri Zonal Commander of the Commission, Oshodi Johnson, the EFCC helmsman said, “Section 56 of the Terrorism Act also empowers the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, which is now domiciled in the EFCC, to refuse or revoke the registration of any NGO linked to terrorist groups.”
He mentioned the case of Aisha Wakil, alias Mama Boko Haram, who was examined by the commission, charged, and found guilty of using her NGO for fraudulent purposes, but he did not specify whether the commission had made any such revocations.
“This should not be allowed to continue,” he warned, stating, “The ordeal of this region in the hands of terrorists should not be exploited for pecuniary gains.”
Bawa tasked local journalists with determining whether NGOs operating in the area adhere to the Terrorism Act.
“Where you have incontrovertible evidence of non-compliance or outright criminality, it is your moral duty to expose such,” he said.
