EFCC urges NACCIMA on business ethics, integrity

Glory Ebomah

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has called on the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, to adhere to best practices in businesses and encourage its members to make integrity and ethical conduct their watchwords in their business engagements.

This charge was given in Abuja on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, by the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa while receiving a delegation of NACCIMA that paid a Courtesy Visit to the EFCC at its Corporate Headquarters.

According to Bawa, who spoke through the Secretary to the Commission, George Ekpungu, the EFCC would always welcome business proposals that emphasize integrity and charged the leadership of NACCIMA to encourage its members to ply their businesses with eyes on best practices.

Earlier, the National President of NACCIMA, John Udeagbala, while explaining the rationale of his Association’s visit to the EFCC, sought exemption for its members from the rigorous processes of getting certificates of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML.

“Our dear Association is aware of the suspension of the issuance of the Special Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML certificates. Over time, our members have complained of their difficulty in obtaining this certificate, which actually affected the ease of doing business and compliance with contractual engagements.

“We, therefore, appeal to you to use your good offices to exempt NACCIMA members from passing through the rigorous application processes when the suspension is finally lifted,” he said.

Responding, Ekpungu explained that the EFCC suspended the issuance of SCUML’s certificates in the aftermath of the enactment of the Money Laundering Act 2022 and the Terrorism Act 2022, which altered the regulatory framework of SCUML. He said the foundational work had been done and the certificates were now being issued, assuring NACCIMA that the SCUML registration processes are designed to keep their businesses safe.

Udeagbala was accompanied on the visit by other officials of the Association, including Eze Chukwuemneka, Tony Esinkonenye,  Usamn Abbas, among others