The Economic and Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, called on automobile dealers in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital to ensure compliance with extant laws and regulations requiring registration and certification of their businesses by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML.
The Commander, Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, Michael Nzekwe, made the call while playing host to members of the Kwara State Motor Dealers Association led by its President, Alhaji Ahmed Dare Abdul, who was on a visit to the Commission’s office along Catchment Close, GRA, Ilorin.
According to him, “apart from enforcing compliance with SCUML regulations, the EFCC under the new Money Laundering Act, MLA, has legal responsibility in safeguarding the investment of stakeholders in the Non-Designated Financial Institutions, NDFIs, from the activities of fraudsters.”
Giving further insights on the activities of SCUML, the Zonal Commander said, “Under the new MLA, SCUML is now to be fully under the EFCC”.
He disclosed that part of its responsibilities was “to ensure compliance of NDFIs including but not limited to car dealers, jewelry dealers, real estate managers, hoteliers and other stakeholders with the provisions of the law”.
The Commander added that, “If we can checkmate the problems associated with laundering of proceeds of crime in this country, corruption and crime rate will reduce drastically.
Michael used the opportunity to urge members of the association to support the Commission’s sustained fight against money laundering and terrorism financing in Nigeria, urging them to ensure due diligence in the conduct of their businesses.
He warned that negligence or non-compliance would attract sanctions, as “ignorance is no excuse under the law”
“There is a need for you to be very wary in your businesses, so as not to run foul of the law because we will go all out to enforce the laws to letter”, he warned.
Responding, the President, Kwara Motor dealers Association, thanked the Zonal Commander for the warm reception accorded his members and the explicit explanations rendered on the activities of SCUML.
While pledging the unalloyed support of the association to the EFCC’s anti-graft fight, Alhaji Ahmed called on the anti-graft agency to set aside a date to sensitise his members across the 16 Local government Areas of the State so that they can also be better informed about SCUML and what was expected of them under the law.