The Maiduguri zonal commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Onwukwe Obiora says all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must declare funds meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the anti-graft agency.
He stated this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the United Nations cash working group and an international NGO forum in his office.
According to Obiora, local and international NGOs (INGOs) in Yobe and Borno are expected to present ‘‘cash notification forms’’ to the Maiduguri command for vetting and approval before disbursing funds to IDPs.
The cash notification form is a document that reflects the monetary activities and indication of areas where aid flows provided by INGOs and NGOs will be distributed.
Obiora said the measure is to reduce the risk of misappropriation and prevent the use of NGOs for money laundering and terrorism financing in the north-east.
He also commended the forum for their deliberate efforts to cater to the IDPs in the face of the insurgency.
He maintained that there is a need for robust synergy between NGOs and the EFCC to combat the menace of money laundering, terrorism financing, among other financial crimes in the north-east and the country at large.
Responding, the deputy coordinator of the forum, , Yasmine Chawaf commended the commission for the cooperation received so far in the distribution of cash and palliatives to the IDPs in Yobe and Borno.
