The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning to compliance officers in banks across Nigeria, urging them to refrain from disclosing unauthorized information regarding the EFCC's investigative activities and requests made to their customers.
The declaration came from the Executive Chairman of the commission, Ola Olukoyede, during a meeting with compliance officers of banks in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. Olukoyede, represented by the Acting Zonal Director of the Ibadan Zonal Command of EFCC, ACE I Hauwa Garba Ringim, expressed deep concern over reports of compliance officers divulging sensitive information to customers.
Olukoyede emphasized that such actions from compliance officers pose significant challenges to the commission's investigative processes and hinder the progress of corruption cases in the court of law.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he underscored the unhealthy support fraudsters receive from the banking sector in Nigeria, urging banks to prioritize ethical conduct and adherence to legal protocols.
Moreover, Olukoyede urged compliance officers to promptly respond to letters from the Commission with certified true copies of relevant documents, facilitating a smoother investigation process.
In addition to addressing unauthorized disclosures, the EFCC chairman also condemned illegal dealings and trading in naira facilitated by Point-of-sale (POS) operators. He criticized the evident contrast between limited ATM withdrawals for Nigerians and the unrestricted access to large sums of money by POS operators, labeling it as unfair and demanding decisive action.
The EFCC's message underscores its commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring integrity within the banking sector, urging all stakeholders to uphold ethical standards and cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies.
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