EFCC to NGOs: Funds for IDPs must be declared for verification before disbursement

Onwukwe Obiora, the Maiduguri zonal commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says all non-governmental organisations (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 for the IDPs in the face of insurgency.

‘‘I want to thank you for your services to the IDPs who are needy and vulnerable, but we must be mindful of the fact that all cash movements by INGOs and NGOs must be declared to the Maiduguri command of the EFCC for verification and monitoring, and we must collaborate so that the funds will not get into the hands of wrong persons during disbursement,’’ he said.

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, Yasmine Chawaf, deputy coordinator of the forum, commended the commission for the cooperation received so far in the distribution of cash and palliatives to the IDPs in Yobe and Borno.

‘‘The EFCC has been of great assistance and we are happy working with the commission. The Maiduguri zonal commander has ensured strict monitoring of cash meant for IDPs through the SCUML and the committee inaugurated, even to the point of distribution in the deep field areas that are hotbeds of insurgency activities, so that the monies get to the right persons,” Chawaf said.

“These measures taken by the EFCC have given the forum absolute confidence to increase our aid flows in the north-east.”

International non-governmental organisations present at the meeting were the United Nations office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA), ZOA Foundation, and Mercy Corps.