The Federal Government of Nigeria has reportedly designated Kaduna-based publisher Tukur Mamu and 14 others as terrorism financiers.
According to documents from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) cited by The PUNCH, the list comprises nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and firms.
The NFIU documents revealed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee convened on March 18, 2024, and recommended specific individuals and entities for sanctions due to their involvement in terrorism financing. With the approval of the President, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation designated these individuals and entities to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List.
Among those named in the document is Tukur Mamu, who is currently facing trial by the Federal Government for alleged involvement in aiding terrorists responsible for the Abuja-Kaduna train attack in March 2022.
The document alleges that Mamu participated in terrorism financing by facilitating ransom payments exceeding $200,000 US in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
The document further revealed that, in accordance with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, institutions and individuals are required to:
“(a) immediately, identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities in your possession and report same to the Sanctions Committee;
“(b) report to the Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements.
“(c) immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and
“(d) report as a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this List. ”
It said the “The freezing obligation required above shall extend to
“(a) all funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated persons and entities, and not only those that are tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing;
“(b) those funds or other assets that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated persons or entities;
“(c) the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities; and
“(d) funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities.”
