National News
African anti-narcotics bodies seek specialised courts for drug cases, money laundering
African anti-narcotics bodies seek specialised courts for drug cases, money laundering
By: Michael Mike
Heads of drug law enforcement agencies in Africa have called for the setting up of specialized courts to try drug cases and other organized crimes across the continent.
This was part of recommendations adopted at the end of the weeklong 31st Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF) in Abuja.
At the meeting which drew to a close on Friday, the participants agreed that: “Governments should consider the establishment of national specialized
courts and asset recovery offices dealing with organized crime and money laundering and supporting tracing, recovering and management of proceeds of crime. Governments are encouraged to make effective and full use of existing informal regional and international cooperation instruments aiming at facilitating investigations and prosecuting organized crime including drug crimes and related money-laundering, including West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP), Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Southern Africa (ARINSA), Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of West Africa (ARINWA) as well as the UNODC CRIMJUST programme.”
They also urged governments in African countries to promote cooperation and the
sharing of best practices in the confiscation of proceeds of crime, including drug-related cases.
They agreed that: “Governments should adopt adequate legal and regulatory frameworks on virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, to prevent and combat their use for drug-related crime and money-laundering.”
Other recommendations adopted by the HONLAF working group during the annual meeting include asking African governments “to develop and implement drug policy responses that address, indirectly or directly, the environmental impact of illicit crop cultivation, drug manufacture and drug use, taking into consideration positive and
negative effects.
“Governments are encouraged to empower indigenous people, youth groups
and local communities to protect the land, forest reserves and water sources in their
areas, making the best of local knowledge and in line with local interests and needs.
“To address the challenge of limited data, countries are encouraged to promote research and monitoring systems to collect data and establish baselines on
environmental impact, which will allow for evidence-based interventions and impact
assessment.
“Governments are encouraged to strengthen their capacity to safely dispose
of seized drugs, chemicals and the precursors and drug waste, utilizing guidance available from relevant national organizations as well as UNODC.
“Governments are encouraged to increase domestic collaboration between
law enforcement agencies and other relevant national agencies, such as the ministries of environment and agriculture.”
Meanwhile, delegates and participants at the meeting were on Thursday 28th September treated to a gala night dinner by the host agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, where the special guest of honour at the evening event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume charged them to implement agreements reached during the conference.
The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, Dr. Maurice Mbaeri stated that:
“Beyond the relaxation and camaraderie of the evening, Nigeria looks forward to a fruitful result of the various deliberations of the past few days, particularly in areas of joint operations and regional cooperation. We hope that in another year, and elsewhere, when we hear of the report of this 31st HONLAF, we will be able to look back with nostalgia at the Abuja meeting.”
African anti-narcotics bodies seek specialised courts for drug cases, money laundering
FG Declares Monday Public Holiday to Mark Eid-Ul-Mawlid
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared next Monday as Public Holiday to mark the celebration of the Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.
Tunji-Ojo urged the Muslim Ummah and, by extension, Nigerians, to imbibe the spirit of patience, sacrifice, and resilience.
The Minister, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, implored them to use the opportunity of the period to pray for enduring peace and a more prosperous egalitarian nation.
FG Declares Monday Public Holiday to Mark Eid-Ul-Mawlid
TERRORISM FINANCING: A COMPLEX CHALLENGE COMPARABLE TO COMBAT OPERATIONS – NSA
By: Our Reporter
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has emphasized that combating terrorism financing poses a complex and formidable challenge, comparable to the difficulties faced in military and law enforcement operations against terrorism in Nigeria. He made this statement while declaring open a 2-day seminar on Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency, organized by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), at Hall F, Martin Luther Agwai Block, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, today.
Represented by the National Coordinator of the Counterterrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, the NSA highlighted that “Nigeria, like other nations, faces significant challenges in this area.” He noted that the complexity of the financial landscape, combined with the adaptability of terrorist networks, places financial institutions on the frontline of this battle. He further emphasized that financial institutions can play a crucial role in countering terrorism financing by adhering to regulatory frameworks, such as anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations, and by conducting regular assessments and audits to ensure compliance. A risk-based approach focusing on institutions more susceptible to exploitation for terrorism financing is also essential, he added.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Major General Emmanuel Emekah, delivered a lecture titled “Over a Decade of Terrorism, Insurgency, and Counterinsurgency in Nigeria: An Appraisal.” He reviewed the efforts of the past 10 years in confronting the twin scourge of terrorism and insurgency in the country.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General Garba Wahab (Rtd), remarked that “the strategic level of counterinsurgency involves agencies and organizations addressing terrorism financing, a major issue that sustains terrorism and insurgency. If we can trace and stop the financing, we can solve the problem.” He urged organizations like the Central Bank of Nigeria to find ways to tackle these challenges.
The event was attended by the Honourable Minister of Interior, Honorable Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, representatives of the Central Bank Governor, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Northern Nigeria Coordinator of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC). Also present were various commanders, commandants of military formations and training institutions and heads of various military establishments, senior officers both serving and retired, distinguished members of academia, senior research fellows, directors, consultants, subject matter experts, and participants of the Leadership and Strategic Studies Course 2/2023 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, among others.
TERRORISM FINANCING: A COMPLEX CHALLENGE COMPARABLE TO COMBAT OPERATIONS – NSA
Three ICRC staff killed after shelling hits aid distribution site in Donetsk
By: Michael Mike
Three staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were killed on Thursday after shelling hit the site of a planned frontline aid distribution in the Donetsk region. Two additional ICRC staff members were wounded.
According to a statement by ICRC, the distribution of humanitarian assistance had not begun, and no residents were affected by the explosion.
ICRC President, Mirjana Spoljaric said: “I condemn attacks on Red Cross personnel in the strongest terms. It’s unconscionable that shelling would hit an aid distribution site. Our hearts are broken today as we mourn the loss of our colleagues and care for the injured. This tragedy unleashes a wave of grief all too familiar to those who have lost loved ones in armed conflict.”
The statement said, the ICRC team was preparing to distribute wood and coal briquettes in Viroliubivka village, north of Donetsk city, to vulnerable households to help them prepare for the upcoming winter when the vehicles they were using were hit.
It added that the ICRC teams are regularly present in the Donetsk region, and our vehicles are clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem. The deaths of three ICRC colleagues come amid a sharp rise in the number of humanitarians killed around the world over the last two years.
The ICRC urgently called for the respect of international humanitarian law, including by taking every precaution possible to ensure that those engaged in humanitarian activities are not targeted or caught in hostilities.
The statement is emphasized that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial and independent organisation with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
Three ICRC staff killed after shelling hits aid distribution site in Donetsk
Maiduguri Flood: UN Pledges Support To Borno Flood Victims
Yobe Govt. Supports Borno Flood Victims
Nigerian troops raids Boko Haram hideout, eliminate 3 Boko Terrorists in Borno
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