The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm over alleged complicity of some bank staff in aiding internet fraudsters and obstructing ongoing investigations.
The Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Rivers State, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I), Adebayo Adeniyi, made the disclosure on Tuesday while addressing bank compliance officers during an engagement session in Port Harcourt.
Adeniyi accused some account officers of compromising the integrity of financial institutions by creating multiple accounts for fraudsters and tipping them off when their accounts are under EFCC investigation.
“In as much as you have to protect the bank, don’t do so at the detriment of the nation,” he warned. “Do not protect the bank and destroy the image of your own family and that of the society.”
He charged financial institutions across the country to strengthen their cooperation with the EFCC in the ongoing war against economic and financial crimes, emphasizing that the role of banks is pivotal in combating corruption.
The EFCC chief stressed the need for strict adherence to Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, noting that banks must ensure proper documentation and routine updates of customer information to aid investigations.
“It is important to remind banks of their critical roles as major stakeholders in the fight against corruption and that there is a need for the Commission and the banks to work together,” Adeniyi added.
He urged bank officials to remain ethically upright and accountable in the discharge of their duties, warning that failure to comply with established guidelines would attract sanctions.
In his response, one of the compliance officers, Edward Keto, lauded the EFCC for its continued efforts and described the session as timely and insightful.
“It is a privilege to have this kind of meeting with the Commission and it will help in dealing professionally with our customers,” Keto said.
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