Senate confirms Hamman Tukur as director of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Modibbo R. Hamman Tukur as director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

President Muhammadu Buhari had nominated him as the director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit on January 7 in accordance with the provision of Section 5(1) of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Act 2018.

Tukur, who is from Adamama State, is a holder of Master of Science (MSc) degree in International Business. He was an Assistant Director in the NFIU, and has vast international experience in illegal assets recovery.

Tukur was confirmed after Senator Chukwuka Utazi presented the report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the confirmation of the nomination of Modibbo R. Hamman Tukur for appointment as Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

The committee set up to screen the nominated directed of NFIU was commended by Senator Barau Jibrin before he requested that Tukur be approved for the role as director of the NFIU.

“Let me compliment the Committee for creating an avenue for the screening of the candidate, they were very thorough. Since the nominee was able to answer all the questions put before him, I request that approval be given,” Senator Jibrin said.

The Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu advised the nominee to remain neutral and professional in the discharge of his duties.

“He must remember that his tenure will end and he will account to everyone, including himself. What he will do while in this position is what counts. He must remain neutral and independent,” Senator Ekweremadu noted.

Senate President Bukola Saraki congratulated the director on his appointment while reiterating the need for neutrality and professionalism.

“Let me on behalf of my distinguished colleagues congratulate Modibbo R. Hamman on his appointment as the first Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit; the first of its kind in this country,” Senator Saraki said.

“In the Senate, we moved for the independence of the NFIU which will help in the fight against corruption. I thank you all who participated in the creation of this unit.

“As has been said by some of our colleagues like the DSP, This is a very important unit. We must ensure the neutrality, professionalism & independence of this unit because whatever it does reflects on the country in the fight against corruption.

“We hope that he does his work properly and makes us proud of what he will do.”