ICPC Chairman Urges Media to Take Lead Role in Fight Against Financial Crimes
ICPC Chairman Urges Media to Take Lead Role in Fight Against Financial Crimes
ICPC Chairman Urges Media to Take Lead Role in Fight Against Financial Crimes
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, has underscored the critical role of the media in combating money laundering and terrorist financing, describing journalists as indispensable partners in protecting Nigeria’s economic and democratic systems.
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Aliyu made the remarks at the National Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Media Outreach held in Abuja, organised by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). His message was delivered by the Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr. J. Okor Odey.
He described money laundering and terrorist financing as major threats to national security and economic stability, warning that such crimes erode public trust, distort markets, and deprive citizens of development resources.
Aliyu noted that evolving digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and social media, have made financial crimes more sophisticated, enabling criminal networks to move illicit funds across borders with greater speed and anonymity.
He, however, commended the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit for deploying advanced analytics and real-time monitoring systems to track suspicious transactions, stressing the need for technology-driven solutions in tackling financial crimes.
“The media must go beyond information dissemination to actively promote financial integrity and anti-corruption values. Investigative journalism and responsible reporting are vital in exposing illicit financial flows,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, highlighted the shared responsibility between journalists and financial intelligence institutions in promoting transparency and accountability.
She said both professions play complementary roles in uncovering hidden financial networks and ensuring that illicit activities do not thrive in secrecy.
Similarly, the Director-General of Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, Edwin W. Harris Jr., represented by Mr. Timothy Melaye, stressed that the media remains a vital stakeholder in the regional fight against financial crimes.
He noted that GIABA, as a specialised institution of ECOWAS, is mandated to promote compliance with international AML/CFT standards, including those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
In the same vein, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by Dr. Dili Ezughah of the Nigeria Press Council, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling corruption, emphasising the media’s influence in shaping public awareness.
Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Mr. Olubunmi Ikupolati, reiterated the government’s resolve to strengthen AML/CFT frameworks through improved intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration.
The outreach brought together journalists, regulators, and key stakeholders, providing a platform to deepen collaboration, enhance reporting capacity, and strengthen public understanding of financial crimes in Nigeria.
ICPC Chairman Urges Media to Take Lead Role in Fight Against Financial Crimes
