The Conference of Northern States Civil Society Network, CNSCSN, on Thursday, March 3, 2022, sought collaboration and partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in fighting economic and financial crimes, including enhancing compliance of civil society organizations with regulations of the Special Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML.
The chairman of the Network, Ibrahim Waiya stated this when he led representatives of the Network on a courtesy visit to the Commission. “We are ready to assist the Commission in creating awareness about its activities by bringing other stakeholders on board, also supporting a legal framework to enhance compliance with the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML. Whatever areas of partnership and support that will bridge the gaps in defining development agenda, we are ready to engage”, he said.
He disclosed that as a civil society group operating in the Nineteen Northern States of Nigeria, the objective of NSCSN is advocating best practices of democracy, accountability and increased development of Northern Nigeria, through policy influencing, cooperation and partnership.
Waiya commended the EFCC Chairman for his track record in one year as chief executive of the agency, pointing out that his unique style of leadership has engendered public trust and confidence in the Commission.
“I can say that your unique style of subjecting yourself as a public servant to public scrutiny has in no doubt created a conspicuous testimony that you indeed have a sincere intention and passionate commitment to fight corruption in Nigeria”, a statement by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren quoted Waiya as saying.
The EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, in his response, thanked the Network for the visit. He said he was happy to see a group of CSOs cutting across several states who are passionate about the fight against economic and financial crimes, adding that the Commission welcomes the offer of collaboration by the group. He said the offer by the group was in sync with at least two objectives of the Commission’s Strategic Plan dwelling on increased public engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, and directed the Public Affairs Department to ensure the Network is carried along in the Commission’s public engagement activities.
Bawa further said he was happy that the group is already conscious of the activities of SCUML but charged them to continue to sensitize their members on the need to meet their statutory obligations to SCUML. He said since his assumption of office, the Commission has re-organized and empowered SCUML but admitted there are gaps as some Designated Non-Financial Institutions, DFNIs, are still not complying with regulations.