The Nigerian Government, last Tuesday, constituted a committee to expedite Nigeria’s removal from the list of countries known to be on the Financial Action Taskforce on Anti-Money laundering/Counter Financing Terrorism regimes.
The committee, which is led by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, held its maiden meeting on Tuesday, and pledged to ensure that Nigeria is completely removed from the list in line with its mandate.
Namadi Sambo stated that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration believes that Nigeria should no longer be on the public statement of the FATF with the measures regarding laws and regulations already put in place by the government.
He was quoted to have said: “I urge you all to work hard towards ensuring that we maintain the integrity of our financial system through effective implementation of laws and regulations against financial improprieties.”
The Vice President then directed, for immediate focus, the sanitisation of the country’s international airports, and the enforcement of the currency regime declaration by air farers.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on FATF, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, in his comments noted that the committee had made considerable inroads in ensuring that Nigeria was removed from the FATF list, particularly in areas of strict implementation of rules and regulations in the financial system.
