EFCC Boss Olukoyede Charges DNFBPs On SCUML Compliance In South-East

In its bid to frontally combat money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, safeguard businesses and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on operators of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, DNFBPs in the South-East to comply with mandatory registration under the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML.

He made this call recently on a live Radio programme at the Enugu State Broadcasting Service where he explained the importance of the SCUML certificate for businesses operating within the non-financial sector.

The Executive Chairman, who was represented by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Promise Oluigbo, Head of SCUML Department in Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Commission noted that SCUML is responsible for the registration, regulation, monitoring and supervision of DNFBPs as provided for under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“DNFBPs are categories of businesses identified under Section 30 of the Money Laundering Act and include sectors such as automobile dealerships, real estate businesses, construction firms, hospitality services, supermarkets, legal practitioners, consultants, and non-profit organizations.’

“ As a regulatory body responsible for overseeing the activities of these businesses in order to curb money laundering and financing of terrorism, it’s important I say it here that the registration process is completely free. Business owners do not need to engage any third party. All they need to do is visit the SCUML portal and complete the registration process”, he said.

According to him, with the introduction of electronic certification which has improved efficiency and eliminated the risk of fake certificates, over 480,000 (Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand ) entities have been registered nationwide. He warned members of the public against engaging agents who charge fees for SCUML registration, stressing that the Commission does not authorize third-party registrations. “The EFCC frowns at any individual or group collecting money from businesses under the guise of facilitating SCUML registration. The process is seamless and free of charge”, he said.

Ola Olukoyede

While emphasizing on the need for businesses to register and collect the certificate, Olukoyede enjoined them to ensue adherence to statutory requirements such as Know Your Customer, KYC procedures, customer due diligence, record keeping and reporting of suspicious transactions, adding that failure to comply constitutes a violation of the law and may attract fines, imprisonment or other regulatory sanctions as stipulated under the Act.

“The objective of the SCUML framework is not to stifle businesses but to protect the financial system and ensure transparency in commercial activities.

It is designed to safeguard businesses and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system”, he said.

Kaduna Court Jails Three For Fraud

Kaduna court jails three for fraud. Justice A. Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and jailed the trio of Aliyu Hassan, Samuel Olamide and Solomon Joseph Christian for fraud.

They were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charge, bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

The charge against Hassan reads: “That you, Aliyu Hassan (a.k.a Ottaviani Loverules Giovanni) on or about the 9th of February, 2026 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, impersonated one Ottaviani Loverules Giovanni (a citizen of Brazil) via Facebook platform and in such assumed character, you defrauded one Kerry the sum of N90,000.00 (Ninety Thousand Naira, only) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under the same law.”

Olamide’s charge reads: “That you, Samuel Olamide (a.k.a Johnny) on or about the 9th of February, 2026 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, impersonated one Johnny (a United States of America) citizen via TikTok platform and in such assumed character, you defrauded one Jackie Sanders (an American ) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under the same law.”

Christian’s charge reads: “That you, Solomon Joseph Christian.(a.k.a Jenort) sometime in February, 2026 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Jenort via Facebook (a social media platform) and in that assumed character benefited the sum of $USD150 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under the same law.”

They all pleaded “guilty,” following which the prosecution counsel, M.U Gadaka prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Isiaka convicted and sentenced them to five years imprisonment each or to pay N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, respectively.

Court

In addition to the sentence, Hassan forfeited N90,000.00 (Ninety Thousand Naira) and a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 mobile phone with IMEI No SM-N9500, being the proceeds of his crime. Olamide forfeited a Samsung Galaxy S21 mobile phone with IMEI No 35198153052814, being the tool of his crime and Christian forfeited iPhone 14 Pro with IMEI NO 35771267218661 and the sum of $150 (One Hundred and Fifty Dollars) being the proceeds of his crime. All the forfeitures were to the federal government.

The convicts were arrested in Agwa, Kudende area of Kaduna following credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities. They were charged to court and convicted.

ICPC Arraigns Visa Agent For Alleged Forgery, Attempt To Obtain UK Visa With False Documents

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a visa agent, Mr. Adediwura Adesina Stanley, before the Lagos State High Court over allegations bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and the use of false documents in an attempt to obtain a United Kingdom visa.

Mr. Stanley was arraigned on March 11, 2026, before Hon. Justice I. Ijelu in a case marked Charge No: ID/27584C/2026.

According to the charges filed by the Commission, the defendant allegedly conspired with two other individuals, Mr. Olufemi Samuel Adewunmi and Mr. Oluwayemi Oyinkan, to forge financial documents intended to deceive the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) division of the UK Home Office.

The prosecution informed the court that the forged documents included a corporate payslip and a United Bank for Africa (UBA) bank statement, which were allegedly prepared and submitted to facilitate the grant of a visa.

Mr. Stanley is facing charges under Sections 516 and 467 of the Criminal Code Act (Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004) for conspiracy to forge and forgery.

He was also charged under Section 17(1)(c) of the ICPC Act 2000 for knowingly using documents containing false statements with the intent to deceive, as well as Section 25(1)(a) of the same Act for allegedly making false statements to a public officer.

Following the arraignment, defence counsel moved an application seeking bail for the defendant, but the prosecution team, led by Mrs. Yvonne Williams-Mbata, opposed the application and filed a counter-affidavit, arguing that the defendant posed a flight risk and could potentially interfere with prosecution witnesses if admitted to bail.

During the proceedings, a legal clarification arose when defence counsel informed the court that he had filed a “reply” to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.

However, Justice Ijelu noted that the current procedural law does not provide for such a reply in the circumstances.

Despite the prosecution’s objections, the court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

The court ruled that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant and resident in Lagos State.

Both sureties are also required to provide evidence of payment of income tax, show proof of means of livelihood, and submit verifiable residential addresses.

ICPC

The sureties are further required to depose to an affidavit undertaking that the defendant will not travel outside the country while the matter is pending before the court.

In addition, the defendant was ordered to deposit his international passport with the court registry and is prohibited from travelling outside Nigeria throughout the duration of the trial.

Justice Ijelu thereafter adjourned the matter to April 1, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Signed
J. Okor Odey, Anipr
Spokesperson for the Commission