The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) says the judiciary has a crucial role in preventing terrorism financing and other criminal activities.

Edwin Harris Jr., the director-general of GIABA, a sub-regional body established to fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing (ML/TF/PF), said this at the opening of a five-day seminar on the development of training modules for ECOWAS member states on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Harris expressed concern over the impact of money laundering and the financing of terrorism on the socio-economic development, peace, and security of ECOWAS member states and beyond. 

According to him, since the past decade, the ECOWAS community has experienced increased levels of terrorism, radicalisation and violent extremism at an alarming rate.

He applauded Nigeria’s efforts in the fight against transnational organised crimes and called on international experts to allow the judiciary to develop training modules.

“The judiciary should be more responsive in the adjudication of cases of terrorism and terrorist financing to deprive criminals of proceeds of crime, recover stolen assets wherever they are located, and dismantle criminal enterprises,” said Mr Harris.

He also urged the private sector to collaborate on implementing preventive measures against terrorism and other crimes.

The GIABA chief decried Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s inability to counter terrorism financing, describing it as a problem owing to the latest political developments in the countries.

He said GIABA would pursue counter-terrorism financing as a regional fight. 

Mohammed Jiya, the associate director of analysis and compliance at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), described terrorism in West Africa as a major security challenge.

“Regional cooperation, intelligence-sharing and capacity-building efforts are also crucial in addressing the transnational nature of the threat posed by terrorism in West Africa.

“Among the top 10 countries in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2023 of the impact of terrorism in countries around the world, there are four (4) West African countries. This workshop stands as a testament to our collective commitment to learning, growth, and innovation,” Mr Jiya said.

Rear-Admiral Yaminu Musa, coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Coordination Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), attributed the spread of terrorism in the sub-region to the role played by finance.

Mr Musa said, “Terrorist organisations require money to run their camps, feed their members, conduct campaigns and plan and carry out attacks on their targets.

“Countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) is a highly complex endeavour that involves many different actors, including violent non-state armed groups and their supporters.”

He added, “There is the need to provide specialised training on special investigation techniques, freezing, seizing and confiscation of terrorist assets, and strengthening regional and international cooperation to counter the financing of terrorism.” 

(NAN)