The Federal Government has said it will not name and shame identified financiers of terrorism in the country.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who disclosed this yesterday, in an interview on the sidelines of the 27th Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) Ministerial Committee meeting in Abuja, had earlier stated that the Federal Government has identified terrorism financiers in the country.
Fagbemi said the Government will not disclose the names of the suspects because it could hinder further investigation or the arrest of other people involved in the incident. He said that however, Government is collaborating with the relevant authorities to ensure that all those involved in supporting terrorist activities are brought to justice.
This was even as the Government flagged off the release of 4,068 prisoners in various correctional centres across the country.
Minister of Interior, Tunji Ojo, who disclosed the release of the inmates in an interview, said the inmates are the non-violent offenders and those that are remanded in prison because they are unable to pay some fines. He said he had earlier promised to raise N585 million, through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), from corporate bodies to help clear the fines.
The Director-General of GIABA, Edwin Harris, commended the member States for their commitment to the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing in West Africa. He, however, said there was a need to improve the effectiveness of their strategies.
Earlier in his speech, Fagbemi, while praising the good work done by GIABA in its efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in West Africa, said it is the duty of member countries to provide any support that should be managed by the organisation work efficiently.
