Advertisement
Nigerians have been advised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to support politicians who use their businesses or bank accounts to launder money.
The commission issued a warning that anyone who permits those who are deemed to be politically exposed persons (PEP) to use their bank accounts or businesses to launder money could face jail time, whether they are acquaintances, associates, or family members.
This was said by Abdulkarim Chukko, the acting executive chairman, at a one-day session on effective reporting of economic and financial crimes.
The session was held on Thursday at the EFCC Zonal Command Office, Iyaganku in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, and was attended by journalists from print, electronic, and internet media.
Chukkol warned that friends and family of politicians would face jail time if they permit their businesses or bank accounts to be used to launder the proceeds of criminal operations. He spoke through Halima Mustapha Rufa’u, the acting zonal commander of the EFCC’s Ibadan zonal command.
According to Chukkol’s speech, the Money Laundering Act of 2022 now considers family members and close associates of politicians and public office holders, including senior civil workers, to be politically exposed individuals.
On this point, I would like the media to inform friends and relatives of politicians and other people in elected office that they run the possibility of going to jail if they permit their businesses or bank accounts to be used to launder the proceeds of criminal operations.
Family members and close associates of politicians and public office holders, including senior civil workers, are now categorized as politically exposed persons under the Money Laundering Act of 2022.
Advertisement