Crime
EFCC Charges DNFBPs To Uphold Anti-Money Laundering Regulations
EFCC Charges DNFBPs To Uphold Anti-Money Laundering Regulations
EFCC charges DNFBPs to uphold anti-money laundering regulations. The Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede has charged Designated Non Financial Business and Professions, DNFBPs to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 in the discharge of their duties.
He gave the charge at one-day Anti-money Laundering sensitization workshop for DNFBPs, organised on Thursday March 6, 2025 in Benin City by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML with the theme: “From Awareness to Action: Mobilising DNFBPs for Compliance.”
The EFCC boss who spoke through the Acting Zonal Director, ACE I Effa Okim stated that one of the aims of the workshop was to broaden understanding on compliance as non-compliance with AML/CFT regulations had serious economic consequences for the nation. He noted that the Commission valued the participation of DNFBPs in the workshop as their businesses and professions were pivotal to the growth of the economy.
“As DNFBPs, you play a critical role in the growth of the economy. We are not here to stifle you businesses. All we want is that you operate within the rules and regulations as well as report suspicion transactions,” he said.
In his remarks, the Director of SCUML, who was represented by Pascal Samu, a Deputy Commander of the EFCC noted that it was important that stakeholders came together to tackle the menace of money laundering and terrorism financing.
“The fight against money laundering and terrorism financing is a global challenge that requires our collective efforts.
DNFBPs are at the risk of being used as conduit pipes through which illicit funds enter the legitimate economy. Therefore, it is important that we prepare ourselves to effectively identify the danger of these financial crimes,” he said.
Speaking further, he disclosed that the workshop was aimed at equipping DNFBPs with the right knowledge to contribute their quota in tackling money laundering.
“Our outreach programme is aimed at providing information concerning Know-Your-Customer, KYC, and Customers Due Diligence, CDD, measures including Politically Exposed Persons and the importance of compliance. We believe that with the right tools we can sufficiently reduce the risk within our system,” he said.
In his paper titled, “Application of KYC/CDD measures, PEP Reporting to prevent ML/TF risk for DNFBPs”, DCE Samu emphasised the importance of knowing your customers and carrying out due diligence by DNFBPs in order to guide against unwholesome practices.
According to him, “The more an organisation knows about its customers/clients, the greater the chances of preventing money laundering. In some cases the simplified KYC/CDD is sufficient. In other cases, further KYC/CDD is required and could be extensive.”
ACEII Morris Keiriama, Compliance and Enforcement Officer with SCUML in his paper, titled: “Implementation of Administrative Sanctions Regime for DNFBPs,” listed fines, suspension, revocation/withdrawal of licence and warning letter as administrative sanctions that can be imposed on DNFBPs for non-compliance with regulatory authorities.
Keiriama who also presented a paper on “Identifying and Reporting Suspicious Transaction Reports” urged DNFBPs to be vigilant in identifying suspicious transactions and ensure reporting of the same to relevant government agencies.
EFCC
“Suspicious transactions are financial transactions that you have reasonable grounds to suspect are related to the commission of a money laundering, counter-terrorism or counter-proliferation of offence,” he said.
Head, SCUML Benin Zonal Directorate, SE Ibrahim Boyi in his paper titled:
“Implementing Targeted Financial Sanction on Terrorism Financing and Proliferation Financing” noted that Targeted Financial Sanction, TFS were sanctions imposed on specific individuals, groups or organisation to prevent them from carrying out deadly terrorism activities and disrupting world peace. He urged the DNFBPs to regularly check for watch-listed names.
Among DNFBPs that attended the workshop were real estate developers, chartered accountants, solid mineral miners, automobiles dealers and casino operators.
Magistrate Court Issues Arrest Warrant For VeryDarkMan Over Defamation Case
Magistrate court issues arrest warrant for VeryDarkMan over defamation case. An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The arrest order, issued on Thursday, follows a criminal defamation case filed by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
In his ruling, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and present VDM before the court to face the allegations leveled against him.
The court noted that VDM failed to honor a summons issued on March 5, instructing him to appear for the hearing.
Despite pleas from his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who requested permission to personally produce his client at the next hearing, the magistrate refused to revoke the arrest warrant.
VDM is accused of making defamatory claims against Chinwo on his social media platform, alleging her involvement in a contractual dispute over the alleged diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).
Chinwo, refuting the allegations, presented documentary evidence to the court, including emails and payment receipts, to establish her innocence.
VeryDarkMan
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act (2015).
In addition to the criminal case, Chinwo’s lawyers have also filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
They are seeking a retraction, deletion, and public apology for the alleged defamatory statements.
Fuel Station Supervisor Arraigned Over Alleged N1.25m Theft
Fuel station supervisor arraigned over alleged N1.25m theft. A 22-year-old petrol station supervisor, Prosper Ese, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly embezzling N1,256,400 from his employer.
Ese, whose residential address was not disclosed, is facing two charges of theft and fraud but pleaded not guilty to both.
According to ASP Edet Ekpo, the prosecutor, the incident took place on March 2 at Arigbabuwo Petrol Filling Station, Oko-Afo, Badagry. Ese allegedly misappropriated N1,056,400 from sales proceeds and also fraudulently obtained N200,000 from one Aisat Folorunsho under false pretenses.
He was reportedly apprehended while attempting to escape from the station.
Court
The prosecution noted that the alleged crimes violate Sections 287 and 311 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate N.A. Layeni granted Ese bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the hearing to April 16.
Police Arrests Couple For Gun Running In Delta
Police arrests couple for gun running in Delta. Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a couple, Joshua Bogbon Godwell and his wife, Uche Joshua, in Okpe Local Government Area over alleged involvement in gun running.
Acting on credible intelligence, officers raided their residence on March 9, 2025, at about 2:30 pm, recovering a locally fabricated Beretta pistol with a live round intended for delivery to a client in Sapele.
Confirming the arrest on Thursday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated, “Following a coordinated sting operation, our officers apprehended the couple in Okpe LGA and seized a locally made Beretta pistol in their possession. The wife, Uche Joshua, admitted to delivering illegal firearms on behalf of her husband.”
Uche further confessed to having transported several arms to various clients in Warri and Sapele as instructed by her husband.
Syndicate Member Arrested
Further investigations led to the arrest of Junior Moses Ogedegbe, 30, from Useifurun community, Ughelli South LGA, suspected to be a member of the syndicate.
“Our operatives are intensifying efforts to recover more weapons and apprehend other members of the gang,” Edafe added.
Other Police Operations in Delta
In a separate operation, CP-SAT operatives arrested suspected cultists and armed robbers across the state, recovering:
Two pump-action guns
One Beretta pistol
One cut-to-size gun
24 live cartridges
On February 3, 2025, at about 1:45 pm, intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of a wanted cultist and gunrunner, Stephen Oma Odu, 25, from Obagho community, Warri North LGA, in Sapele town.
His confession led to the arrest of Abel Festus, aka Tompolo, 42, from Oghareki community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of Festus’ apartment uncovered two pump-action guns and 24 live cartridges.
During the operation, two other suspected cultists, Godspower Moses (alias Power) and Oloriode Owebe, 24, were also arrested.
Police investigations identified the suspects as members of the Vikings Confraternity, with further probes ongoing.
Guns
Suspected Kidnapper and Internet Fraudster Nabbed
In another operation, police arrested a suspected kidnapper and internet fraudster in Mosogar and its environs, recovering a cut-to-size gun.
On March 9, 2025, at about 6:30 am, a police raid in Jesse and Mosogar towns led to the arrest of Festus Oboyo, 26, from Igbopa community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of his residence uncovered a locally made gun with a single cartridge and an FBI impersonation document allegedly used for online fraud.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of two suspected accomplices:
Favor Omowo (alias Voltage), 29, from Jesse town Gift Omowo, 26, from Jesse community
“We are actively tracking down other fleeing gang members and will not rest until all criminals are brought to justice,” Edafe assured.
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