The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to work with it to control illicit financial flows in the country.
The CIBN made the appeal in a statement issued Sunday in Lagos by its works committee head, Mr. Nelson Olagundoye.
The statement also said that the institute is proposing an annual joint conference that would focus on proposing solutions to the challenge, as part of the collaboration.
According to the statement, CIBN Chairman / Board Chairman Dr Bayo Olugbemi made the appeal when received by NDLEA Executive Chairman / CEO Retired Brigadier General Mohammed. Buba Marwa, recently in Abuja.
The president of CIBN said the purpose of the visit was to discuss how CIBN could deepen relations between the agency and the banking sector.
It is about building a better Nigeria, a Nigeria free of drugs and to be proud of.
Olugbemi said the institute stands ready to collaborate with the NDLEA Academy on relevant certification programs as well as provide technical expertise to enhance existing skills within the Academy.
He urged the agency to partner with the institute to educate young Nigerians about the dangers of hard drugs to human health.
Olugbemi also requested the support of the Agency for the proposed amendment of the CIBN law of 2007.
This is to strengthen the power of the disciplinary tribunal to discipline offending bankers, among other things.
The President of CIBN congratulated the Agency for the effective and efficient administration of the fight against smuggling, production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs.
Marwa, while welcoming the CIBN team, said that around 15 million young Nigerians were using illicit drugs.
He said their indulgence contributed to the high level of crime in the country, especially banditry and the incessant kidnappings of students.
He said the agency had drastically dealt with an illicit drug supply chain.
According to him, more than 90 billion naira of drugs were confiscated by the agency as it attacked the properties of the drug lords.
He assured the institute of the Agency’s readiness to collaborate with him on the law against money laundering and the financing of terrorism (LAB / CTF).
The NDLEA chief also pledged collaboration on the fundamentals of relevant banking operations, to fight crime in the country.
Marwa also praised CIBN’s advocacy role in the financial services sector, adding that the agency would support the CIBN Law Review Institute when it is presented to the National Assembly.
He promised to continually support the leadership of the Institute and to be more active and engaged in the activities, programs and events of the Institute
