In continuation of its vigorous campaigns against vote buying across the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned members of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria, ABCON, in various parts of Lagos State on the danger of being used as conduits for money laundering by politicians, especially during the election period.
The EFCC team, which was led by the Head of Public Affairs, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, Babatunde Sulaiman, during engagements with BDC operators at the popular Hajj Camp, International Airport as well as Airport Hotel both in Ikeja, Lagos, urged the group’s members to resist any temptation to subvert the electoral process.
He said: “The Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has asked me to warn you against having unhealthy fraternization with politicians in this election period.
“Their sudden friendship with you and even patronage is for selfish reasons.
“You have to be very cautious in your transactions, especially during the election period.
“Ignorance is no excuse in Law; hence, this sensitisation.
“You have to be wary of the activities of undisciplined politicians who will want to use you to launder their ill-gotten money with the ultimate aim of buying votes during elections.”
The EFCC team further expressed the concern of the EFCC boss on the circulation of fake dollars, saying that “they may be voodoo money.”
“The Dollar notes may look genuine to you, but forensic analysis by the Commission reveals otherwise.”
The team also called on BDC operators to be the eyes and ears of the Commission wherever they may be while the election lasts, adding that, “The EFCC can’t be everywhere. EFCC operatives are not spirit.
“We are all stakeholders in the Nigeria project; so, you must be willing to expose any act of illicit transaction, especially in this period.”
In his response, Taiwo Ebenezer, Chairman, South West Zone, ABCON, expressed gratitude to the EFCC team for its intervention in this election period.
He also assured the Commission of maximum cooperation by the group’s members, saying, “When anyone comes to you with a big bag filled with foreign currencies, you must be very careful, so you don’t run foul of the law.
“Some of you have obtained your licences as BDC operators with so much sweat. Therefore, you have to guard against anything that will make you lose the licence or even be charged to court.”
The EFCC team also took the sensitization campaign to BDC operators at Federal Palace Hotel & Casino, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos; Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi and Lagos Island market in Lagos.
In their individual remarks, Umar Shuaib, Head, Capital Market, Lagos and Dolapo Adeniran of the Public Affairs Unit, Lagos warned the BDC operators on the danger of fake Dollar notes in circulation because of the election.
They also urged them to report any suspicious transactions to these EFCC hotlines: 08141219896, 09077928772, 09051923475, 09074456025, 09051916064 and 09066270016.
