Over 730 Persons Convicted of Terrorism-Related Offenses — FG

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By Sunday Apah

The Federal Government has announced that more than 730 people have been convicted for crimes related to terrorism as part of its intensified campaign against the financing of terrorism and the dismantling of illicit financial networks.

Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), made this declaration during an on-site meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) held on Monday in Abuja.

He noted that over 90 of these convictions were achieved with direct assistance from the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), highlighting the success of inter-agency collaboration in identifying and disrupting financial channels that support terrorist organizations.

“Disrupting the financial lifelines of terrorist organizations is a critical aspect of our national counterterrorism strategy,” he stated. “We are firmly dedicated to this mission and highly value our ongoing collaboration with both local and international partners, including the U.S. Department of Treasury. Our ability to prosecute over 730 terrorism-related cases demonstrates the success of our coordinated national approach. More than 90 convictions were made possible with the assistance of the NFIU.”

He also acknowledged the effective teamwork between the NFIU and other relevant agencies, which has significantly decreased the influx of illegal funds into terrorist operations nationwide.

The NCTC coordinator further praised the Joint Standard Investigation Committee on Terrorism Financing, describing its efforts as crucial for improving Nigeria’s capacity to investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes.

According to Laka, the simulation exercise was intended to assess Nigeria’s institutional readiness and align strategies in preparation for the forthcoming FATF evaluation, which will decide Nigeria’s status regarding the organization’s Grey List.

“The strength of our collective preparation will determine the outcome of the upcoming FATF visit and, ultimately, Nigeria’s removal from the FATF Grey List,” he remarked.

In her comments, Hajiya Hafsat Bakari, Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, noted significant progress in fulfilling all 19 action items outlined in their action plans through unified national efforts.

Bakari stated that the on-site exercise served as an opportunity to showcase the advancements made and the continuous commitment to establishing an effective national framework in line with FATF standards.

She emphasized the global attention on Nigeria from the FATF network and the high expectations that accompany this scrutiny.

“The importance of this assessment is highlighted by the size of the team coming to Nigeria. We will be hosting 11 reviewers who will evaluate all the immediate outcomes in our action plan. Given the challenges the FATF has faced in securing reviewers for several African nations, this is indeed a strong indicator of confidence in Nigeria.”

Additionally, she expressed her satisfaction in announcing that the FATF has extended an invitation for Nigeria to become a guest member.

“This means Nigeria will participate under its own flag in discussions and projects of the FATF. While this does not equate to full membership, it is nevertheless a significant step on our journey to gaining a place at the table and reaffirms that we are on the right path,” she concluded.