The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has charged operators of Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions (DNFBPs), in Port Harcourt and environs to exhibit professionalism and carry out due diligence in the discharge of their responsibilities to customers.

Nwanneka Nwokike, Zonal Commander, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, made the appeal on Thursday, July 29, 2022, in a welcome address to participants of a sensitization workshop tagged, “The Role of DFNBPs in the AML/CFT Regime of Nigeria” organised by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML at Dmatel Hotel and Resorts, Stadium Road, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Also speaking at the event, Daniel Isei, Director, SCUML, assured the DNFBPs that the new Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 and the Terrorism Prevention Prohibition Act 2022 are meant to strengthen the regulatory environment for their businesses to thrive as long as they abide by the provisions of the laws.

He urged them to always conduct due diligence on their customers before consummating any transaction.

In the same vein, Ibinabo Mary Amachree, a Senior Compliance Officer with SCUML, tasked the DNFBPs to partner with the Commission in tackling money laundering and terrorist financing in Nigeria.

She asserted that no economy can grow where the cankerworm of money laundering has eaten deep into the fabrics of people of the country.