EFCC charges international NGOs to declare cash meant for IDPs

The Maiduguri Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Onwukwe C. Obiora on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 called on both International and local Non-Governmental Organizations in Yobe and Borno States to present ‘‘Cash Notification Forms’’ to the Maiduguri Command for vetting and approval before disbursing funds to ‘Internally Displaced Persons’. The measure, he explained, is to reduce the risk of sabotage and use of NGOs by money launderers and financiers of terrorism in the Northeast.

Obiora who spoke while receiving a delegation from the United Nations Cash Working Group and International NGO Forum in his office, commended the Forum for their deliberate efforts to cater for the IDPs in the face of insurgency. He stressed the need for a robust synergy with the EFCC to combat the menace of money laundering, terrorism financing, among other financial crimes in the Northeast and the country at large.

‘‘I want to thank you for your services to the IDPs who are needy and vulnerable… but we must be mindful of the fact that all cash movements by INGOs and NGOs must be declared to the Maiduguri Command of the EFCC for verification and monitoring, and we must collaborate so that the funds will not get into the hands of wrong persons during disbursement’’, he said.

The Deputy Coordinator of the Forum, Yasmine Chawaf expressed her delight and lauded the Commission for the cooperation received so far in the distribution of the cash and palliatives to the IDPs in both Yobe and Borno State.

‘‘The EFCC has been of great assistance and we are happy working with the Commission. The Maiduguri Zonal Commander has ensured strict monitoring of cash meant for IDPs through the SCUML and the committee inaugurated, even to the point of distribution in the deep field areas that are hotbeds of insurgency activities, so that the monies get to the right persons. These measures taken by the EFCC have given the Forum absolute confidence to increase our aid flows in the Northeast’’, she said.

Cash Notification Form is a form that reflects the monetary activities and indication of areas where Aid flows provided by INGOs and NGOs are to be disbursed.

International Non-Governmental Organizations present at the meeting were the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ZOA Foundation and Mercy Corps.