The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has charged operators of Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions (DNFBPs), in Port Harcourt and environs to exhibit professionalism and carry out due diligence in the discharge of their responsibilities to customers.

Nwanneka Nwokike, Zonal Commander, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, made the appeal on Thursday, July 29, 2022, in a welcome address to participants of a sensitization workshop tagged, “The Role of DFNBPs in the AML/CFT Regime of Nigeria” organised by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML at Dmatel Hotel and Resorts, Stadium Road, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Also speaking at the event, Daniel Isei, Director, SCUML, assured the DNFBPs that the new Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 and the Terrorism Prevention Prohibition Act 2022 are meant to strengthen the regulatory environment for their businesses to thrive as long as they abide by the provisions of the laws. He urged them to always conduct due diligence on their customers before consummating any transaction.

In the same vein, Ibinabo Mary Amachree, a Senior Compliance Officer with SCUML, tasked the DNFBPs to partner with the Commission in tackling money laundering and terrorist financing in Nigeria.

“No economy can grow where the canker worm of money laundering has eaten deep into the fabrics of people of the country”, she said.

Amachree harped on the need for DNFBPs to maintain a comprehensive record of their customers, and report any suspicious transaction to SCUML. She informed the participants that the new money laundering law makes provisions for penalties for several infractions including failure by DNFBPS to appoint compliance officers or train their staff.

Sunji Audu, Head, SCUML, Port Harcourt Zonal Command also took the participants on the role and powers of SCUML in the implementation of the AML/CFT measures in the DNFBPs. He advised them to avoid being used for money laundering and terrorism financing activities.

Present at the sensitization were car dealers, hotel owners, estate surveyors and valuers, real estate developers, estate agents, accountants and auditors, dealers in jewelry and non-governmental organizations, etc.

Media & Publicity

1 August, 2022