on MAY 21, 2011

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/05/efcc-warns-govs-against-money-laundering/

ABUJA -  The incoming and returning state governors got a warning from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC:  to steer clear of money laundering and similar crimes.

Chairman of the Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri at a symposium for “New and Returning Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” in Abuja charged the governors to shun safe havens where looted funds are kept and reminded them that “maintenance of foreign accounts is constitutionally prohibited.”

“We cannot continue to enrich the economies of other countries at our own expense. We must bring the money back. We cannot launder money to those economies and turn back to seek economic aid from them,” she said, adding “they continuously laugh at us. Launderers must be reminded that once stolen assets are identified, they will be frozen. Even though it is difficult to get them back, you cannot enjoy them either.

“The survival of our democracy and indeed the nation itself is dependent on how we approach the issue of our governance and, with it the fight against corruption.

Underscoring the importance of good governance she said: “It is important to state at this stage that the EFCC is your partner in ensuring good governance. The EFCC is not a monster looking for trouble or creating problem for governors.’’

However, it has work to do. Where good governance fails, the EFCC must intervene. That is where the partnership parts ways”.