Nearly one year after the Bill for the autonomy of the Nigeria Financial
Intelligence Unit (NFIU)was passed by the 8th National Assembly, President
Muhammadu Buhari has given his assent to it.
The NFIU Act provides operational autonomy for the Nigeria Financial
Intelligence Unit, presently situated as a Department in the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission-EFCC.
NFIU’s primary mandate is the receipt, analysis and dissemination of
Financial Intelligence to Law Enforcement Agencies, Regulators and other
competent persons.
It would be recalled that a fortnight ago, a nongovernmental organisation,
Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC, which
has been at the center of the advocacy for autonomy for NFIU wrote a
letter to the President, requesting his immediate assent to the Bill.
The letter captioned: “NFIU Bill: Before it is too late”, signed by her
Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru cautioned that continued delay in
signing the bill will lead to unfavourable consequences and sanctions from
the international community.
The letter also urged the President to send the name if a Fit and Proper
person to the National Assembly for consideration as Chief Executive.
It would be recalled that the NFIU Bill was passed by the 7th National
Assembly, but was not assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan.