Investigation identify that some prominent people are financing terrorism in Nigeria — Malami
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Friday,said investigation has revealed that some prominent people are financing terrorism in the country.
Malami told news men in an interview at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Malami, the investigation into the profiling of prominent people, institutions etc started after it was revealed in the United Arab Emirates that some Nigerians are financing terrorism.
The minister said the the suspects were culpable and prosecution will be carry out.
He said, “Arising from the investigation, there exists, certainly, reasonable grounds for suspicion that a lot of Nigerians, high-profile, institutional, and otherwise, are involved in terrorism financing and they are being profiled for prosecution.
“Sometimes back, there were certain convictions of Nigerians allegedly involved in terrorism financing in the United Arab Emirates.
“That gave rise to a wider and far-reaching investigation in Nigeria and I am happy to report that arising from the wider coverage investigation that has been conducted in Nigeria, a number of people, both institutional and otherwise, were found to be culpable.
“I mean reasonable grounds for suspicion of terrorism financing have been established, or perhaps have been proven to be in existence in respect of the transactions of certain high-profile individuals and businessmen across the country.
“In essence, it is indeed true that the government is prosecuting and it is indeed initiating processes of prosecuting those high-profile individuals that are found to be financing terrorism. It is indeed true.
“I am happy to report that investigation has been ongoing for long and it has reached an advanced stage”.
Meanwhile, the minister did not disclosed the numbers of people involved and also their identities.
He said, “As to the number, an investigation is ongoing and it has to be conclusive before one can arrive at a certain number, but one thing I can tell you is it is a large number and they are being profiled for prosecution.
“It is indeed a large number and I am not in a position to give you the precise number as of now because the profiling and investigation are ongoing.”
Nonetheless, he noted that the Federal Government will be unforgiving to anyone convicted.
“The message is clear: nobody is going to be spared, no stone will be left unturned. We shall certainly and aggressively pursue those people that are involved in terrorist financing as far as the Nigerian state is concerned”.
