Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a warning to designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) to be vigilant against money laundering.
Gatekeepers News reports that DNFBPs include casinos, real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and stones, lawyers, notaries, and other independent legal professionals.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation program organized by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), Michael Wetkaz, Director of EFCC in Lagos, emphasised the importance of businesses doing their part to prevent criminal activities.
“The financial institutions have been regulated to a large extent, and the issues of terrorism have been of great concern globally,” Wetkaz said.
“As a result, nations have tightened measures to ensure that bad people have very limited space or even no space to operate, thereby helping to improve safety and security. But if you allow these criminal activities to pass through your businesses, it will worsen the insecurity situation in the country.”
Wetkaz urged business operators to report financial activities that may threaten the security of the country.
“Please, do your part and report activities that you are obligated to report. We are doing our part to sensitize you, so you know what we are supposed to do, and you are not caught on the wrong side of the law. We should all work together to make it difficult for the bad actors.”
