Crime
Olukoyede Charges Businesses, Professionals in Southwest on Money Laundering
Olukoyede Charges Businesses, Professionals in Southwest on Money Laundering
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professionals, DNFBPs to strictly comply with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, do due diligence on their customers and ensure that they report suspicious transactions, especially of Politically Exposed Persons, PEPs to the Commission.
He gave the charge at a one-day workshop for sensitization of DNFBPs, with the theme: “Awareness to Action: Mobilizing DNFBPs for Compliance”, which was held in Lagos, on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
The workshop, which was organized by the South-West region of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, which is the Anti-Money Laundering Department of the EFCC, had in attendance professionals from various DNFBPs across the region.
Declaring the workshop open, the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate, ACE I Michael Wetkas, stressed the need for the DNFBPs to strictly comply with the stipulated rules guiding their operations, as a way of contributing their quota to the fight against money laundering, and engendering economic growth and development.
“As professionals in the DNFBP sector of the economy, you are critical stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes. Nigeria belongs to all of us, so you need to play your role diligently without fear or favour, because what you do in your own corner will have a multiplier impact on the country,” he said.
Also speaking, Director of SCMUL, Commander of EFCC, CE Daniel Isei, noted that the awareness campaign was part of the concerted efforts of the Commission to get Nigeria off the Financial Action Task Force, FATF’s Grey List.
“As you may be aware, Nigeria was added to the FATF Grey list in February 2023 after a 2021 Mutual Evaluation Report identified critical gaps in our financial crime prevention measures,” he said.
The grey list, he explained, included jurisdictions under increased monitoring due to deficiencies in their AML/CFT regimes. According to him, while substantial strides have been made under an action plan, jointly developed with FATF’s International Cooperation Review Group, ICRG, there was still more work to be done, particularly as it relates to the DNFBPs.
He said: “Nigeria needs to come out of the Grey List and one of the deficiencies found is that compliance is very low. In order to exit the Grey List by May 2025, some outstanding actions need to be addressed urgently to demonstrate our effectiveness, such as applying effective,
proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for breaches of AML/CFT requirements and following up to ensure remedial actions are taken by sanctioned entities. Enhance preventive measures through inspections, outreach and provision of guidance for higher-risk sectors.”
He urged participants to ensure that they complied with their obligations under the Nigerian AML/CFT regime.
In a paper titled, “Application of KYC/CDD measures (PEP Reporting) to prevent ML/TF risk for DNFBP”, the Head, SCUML, Lagos, ACEI Ibinabo Amachree, stressed the importance of the Know Your Customer, KYC obligation of DNFBPs.
“You must ensure that you carry out due diligence in knowing your customer, and ensuring proper documentation to ascertain relevant information from your prospective customers before doing business with them, and this is a continuous activity,” she said, stressing that failure to do so will mean running afoul of the law, and ignorance was not a defence in law,”
Head, SCUML, Ibadan, ACE I Toyin Ehindero, noted that the South-West region was seen as a critical stakeholder in achieving the goals of the Commission.
Olukoyede
Further highlights on targeted financial sanctions were provided by ACE II Folashade Oluwasanya, a resource person from SCUML, who emphasized the roles of the DNFBPs in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
“The importance of vigilance in identifying suspicious activities and legal obligations of DNFBPs in reporting such transactions to relevant authorities cannot be overemphasized,” she said.
On his part, ACE II Bassey Okon, gave a detailed analysis on the administrative sanctions that can be imposed on DNFBPs for non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
He further underscored the potential repercussions of failing to adhere to financial regulations, and the importance of maintaining robust compliance frameworks.
The workshop was in furtherance of the goal of the Commission to ensure the removal of Nigeria from the FATF Grey List and ensuring compliance with extant laws by DNFBPs, particularly in the South-West region.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects, Trucks for Suspected Illegal Mining Activities in Kwara
Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested ten individuals suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities along the Ilorin – Ogbomosho axis.
They were arrested on Sunday, February 1, 2026, following credible intelligence on unlawful mineral excavation and transportation in parts of Kwara and Oyo States.
The suspects, comprising nine truck drivers and one escort were intercepted and taken into custody in a well -coordinated sting operation. Solid minerals arrested with the suspects include lithium, tin, and lepidolite.
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects
The suspects have no requisite licences, permits, or regulatory approvals for their mining activities.
Other items recovered from the suspects are trucks loaded with the unlawfully mined materials.
The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
List Of 40 Suspects Detained Over Alleged Plot To Overthrow Tinubu Government
List of 40 suspects detained over alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu Government. Nigerian security agencies have concluded investigations into an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with at least 40 suspects detained in connection with the conspiracy.
The suspects include senior military officers, a police officer, and several civilians accused of roles ranging from reconnaissance and funding to propaganda.
According to a Premium Times report, the arrests followed a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS).
“Thirteen people were apprehended by the SSS, including two military personnel (one retired), one policeman, and ten civilians,” one source said.
In total, 16 serving military officers were detained for direct involvement, while others were linked to funding and incitement. Two civilians were reportedly recruited to incite civil unrest intended to justify the coup.
According to the online newspaper, one of the detained soldiers was said to have escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi State, according to insider accounts.
Recall that on Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
“Findings identified several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the military said, describing the act as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Sources said authorities are now awaiting presidential approval to constitute a court-martial panel to try the indicted soldiers.
Investigations revealed that the coupists initially planned to disrupt the May 29, 2023 handover ceremony from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu, but the plan was shelved due to lack of funds and logistics.
The conspiracy was allegedly reactivated in 2025, after former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva purportedly transferred nearly ₦1 billion through multiple Bureau De Change accounts to fund the operation.
Sylva and a retired senior officer identified as Major General Adamu, both accused of bankrolling the plot, are reportedly at large.
Security sources said one of the fugitive suspects has been tracked to a South American country, though his precise location remained undisclosed for security reasons.
Investigators also uncovered a chilling plan to assassinate top government officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” one source revealed.
The plot allegedly relied on informants inside the Presidential Villa, who monitored the movements of top officials. The conspirators were to seize control of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, Armed Forces Complex, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Military
Hereunder is the full list of the alleged coupists arrested
MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) Army lHeadquarters Garrison
MA Ma’aji (Colonel) Defence Space Administration
S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) 525 Signal Regiment
AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) 134 Special Force Battalion
M Almakura (Lt Colonel) 197 Special Force Battalion
AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) CO, 35 Battalion Katsina
SM Gana (Lt Colonel) 115 Task Force Battalion
AD Dauda (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
JM GANAKS (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
AJ Ibrahim (Maj) Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans
MM Jiddah (Maj) 26 Battalion
MA Usman (Maj) 35 Battalion
D Yusuf (Maj) Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
J Iliyasu (Maj) 3 Division Garrison
A Mohammed (Maj) 63 Brigade Garrison
DB Abdullahi (Lt Cdr) Naval Base Abuja
SB Adamu (Sqn Ldr) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
NG Zuzu (Sqn Ldr) Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force Camp
G Binuga (Captain) 1 NMF Brigade
AA Yusuf (Captain) Nigerian Army of the School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
1 Bello (Captain) 82 Division Garrison
SS Felix (Lt) 81 Division Provost Group
J Aminu (Lt) Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
Nasiru Ibrahim (WO) 82 Division Garrison
Sanda Usman (Sgt) 167 Special Force Battalion
Mohammed Zubairu (Sgt) 177 Guards Battalion
Momoh Audu (Cpl) 343 Artillery Regiment
Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
EO Victor (Navy Capt/Rtd) 3 Abraham Avenue off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
Umoru Zekeri Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
Y Nasiru (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Sambo Danladi (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Abdul Abdullahi (SSgt) 82 Division Garrison
Ali Isah Villa Ambulance Driver
ML Mohammed (Capt) 18 Battalion
UI Yusuf (Wg Cdr) International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
IM Gana (Maj Gen Rtd) No 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
Stanley Kingley Amandi Propagandist
Goni Bukar
Security sources confirmed that joint operations involving multiple agencies are underway to dismantle remaining cells and track fleeing suspects. The EFCC and SSS are also interrogating several civilians over alleged roles in funding, logistics, and coordination.
At least 25 military personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the plot, according to sources close to the investigation.
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