The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged compliance officers of banks to refrain from unauthorised disclosure of the commission’s investigation activities and requests to their customers.
This call was made by the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, through the Acting Zonal Director of the Ibadan Zonal Command, Hauwa Ringim, during a stakeholders’ meeting with compliance officers of banks in Oyo State.
Olukoyede expressed concerns about the unhealthy support fraudsters receive from the banking sector, which poses significant challenges to the commission’s efforts to combat financial crimes.
He emphasized that compliance officers should not inform their clients about EFCC investigation activities, as this jeopardises the investigation process and delays corruption cases from being filed in court.
The EFCC Chairman also urged banks to respond to letters from the commission with certified true copies of transactions, including instruments of transactions of beneficiaries or sources, to expedite the investigation process. He stressed that illegal dealings and trading in naira with Point-of-Sale operators must stop, as it is unfair to Nigerians.
Olukoyede assured compliance officers of the commission’s support, recognising them as essential stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes. He encouraged them to collaborate with the EFCC to combat fraud and corruption in the banking sector.