Crime
Interpol Launches Silver Notices Against Money Laundering
In the bid to frontally tackle the scourge of money laundering and illicit financial flows across the world, especially in Africa, the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL), has launched a new module codenamed Silver Notices.
This disclosure was made in Abuja on Monday, July 29, 2024, by the Interpol Vice President for Africa, Garba Baba Umar, while declaring open a four-day Training Workshop for Nigerian law enforcement agencies at the EFCC Academy, Abuja.
According to Umar, money laundering across Africa and the entire world has assumed a monstrous dimension and Interpol has designed Silver Notices to combat the menace.
ALSO READ: EFCC Arrests 11 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Uyo
He said, “Evidence has shown that every hour, hundreds of thousands of dollars are flowing out of Nigeria to the region and across the world, laundered before it reaches the pockets of criminals to enjoy the profits of their crimes, while the hardworking and honest Nigerians pay the price of crime.
“With every successful laundering of criminal money, our country becomes more prone to crime. More drugs, more fraud, more corruption and more violence. Every time criminal money is successfully laundered, our financial institutions take an additional blow…”.
He stressed that hard times awaited money launderers as the Silver Notices would make illicit funds more difficult to launder in any part of the world.
Speaking on the theme of the Workshop: Strengthening Capacity and Coordination against Financial Crimes, Umar pointed out that financial crimes had become transnational and law enforcement agencies needed regular training for their workforce to be ahead of fraudsters
He urged participants at the Workshop to make it a duty to discuss and learn about transnational crimes affecting their regions and identify possible solutions through a review of policing capabilities to support the country and facilitate direct and in-person interaction amongst law enforcement networks across the country.
“In essence, this Workshop will give us the opportunity to re-examine the challenges of fighting transnational crimes in the country, reassess our strategies, and reaffirm our determination and unity as a country to provide security to our citizens and by extension the global community”, he said.
Umar charged all participants at the Workshop to take collaboration with other law enforcement agencies seriously to advance their investigations and ensure that criminals do not get to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
“The only way we can move forward as a country is by working together and identifying common problems, jointly devising solutions, and taking coordinated and cohesive action. And now is the time that we need to go far, by going together”, he said.
Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede in goodwill message, also harped on the need for enhanced collaboration in tackling financial crimes.
He particularly stressed that the complex nature of corruption across the world could only be broken by the might of collaborative actions by every stakeholder.
“The daunting nature of the fight against corruption in Nigeria and the world at large deserve serious collaboration among organizations saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption”, he said.
Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director, Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, FRAC, of the EFCC, Francis Usani, appraised the pivotal role of the EFCC in tackling corrupt practices, especially its impressive records of convictions and recoveries and expressed optimism that, with the new emphasis on the preventive framework in tackling financial crimes by the Commission, greater progress would be made.
“…Our records of convictions and recoveries stand us out, but we will not rest on our oars, we are committed to doing more and in this commitment, the EFCC is re-strategising its operations with a focus on prevention knowing that it is easier and cheaper to prevent corruption from happening than investigating and prosecuting corruption”, he said.
In his remarks, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, described the workshop as an important joint initiative between Japan and Nigeria to combat financial crimes.
He explained that in the contemporary globalized world, financial crimes transcended borders and required international cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat them.
“I am delighted that INTERPOL and the Japanese National Police Agency are an integral part of this project, contributing their expertise. A remarkable collaboration took place three years ago when Japanese and Nigerian law enforcement agencies successfully returned a fund to a Japanese fraud victim, earning immense gratitude. Strengthening our partnership through this project will benefit not only Nigerians but people around the world, including the Japanese”, he said.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Bakare, spoke about the imperative of strengthening capacity and coordination against financial crimes, pointing out that “financial intelligence and financial analysis techniques are key to tackling economic crimes.”
The NFIU, she said, was sensitive to the interconnected nature of the criminal justice system, the threat of organized crime and cybercrimes being fought by law enforcement agencies.
She expressed optimism that the training law enforcement officers would receive at the Workshop would “sustain efforts being made to ensure that Nigeria exit the Grey List of the Financial Action Task Force possibly by mid-2025”
Director, Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), Isaac Kehinde Oginni, said the only way to disrupt organised crimes was by denying fraudsters the financial profit behind their criminal enterprise.
Besides, financial intelligence could also be utilized well when investigators recognise its value and use it to build a financial profile around suspects.
He challenged participants and stakeholders at the Workshop to collectively work together and fight money laundering. “Each agency represents a different shape of the puzzle with our different strengths and mandates. Each piece of the puzzle forms part of the bigger picture, and even one missing piece will prevent the whole picture from being developed,” he said.
“Today, we will commence the first phase of the Interpol/JICA workshop, a capacity-building project that aims to strengthen Nigeria’s safety through enhancing law enforcement’s capacity to combat financial crime, as well as through increased national cross-agency collaboration and cooperation,” he said.
The four-day Workshop, first of its kind and hosted by the EFCC, was organized by INTERPOL and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA. It drew participants from the Police, EFCC, NFIU, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service. It will end on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five men before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who has been declared wanted over his alleged involvement in a coup plot.
The defendants—Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite—were brought before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge of allegedly becoming accessories after the fact by hiding the whereabouts of the former governor.
SEE ALSO: DSS Foils Arms Smuggling Operation, Arrests Suspect Linked to Zamfara Bandit Leader
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly concealed Sylva’s location on or about April 28, 2026, after he was implicated as a financier of an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Sylva, who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was said to have fled the country before details of the alleged coup plot became public.
The Federal Government subsequently declared him wanted and reportedly commenced moves to confiscate some of his identified properties.
When the charges were read in court, the five defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel Emmanuel Orubor urged the court to remand the defendants and fix a date for trial, stating that the prosecution was prepared to call witnesses to prove its case.
However, defence lawyers representing the defendants applied for bail, arguing that their clients had been in DSS custody since October 25, 2025, and deserved to be released on liberal terms pending trial.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the charges were bailable and granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The court ordered that each surety must provide an affidavit of means, evidence of three years’ tax payment, proof of visible means of livelihood, and recent passport photographs.
The identities of the sureties are also to be verified by the court’s Registrar.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The charges allege that the defendants knowingly concealed the whereabouts of Sylva, described by the prosecution as a fugitive, in violation of Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act.
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has arrested a 56-year-old man, Iliasu, alongside his three sons over their alleged involvement in a kidnapping operation in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Usman (33), Wahab (27), and Yakubu (18), were paraded in Akure alongside 24 other suspects arrested for various offences by the state security outfit.
Speaking during the parade, the Commander of Amotekun in Ondo State, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that the victim, Oyebade Samuel, was abducted while travelling to Oba-Akoko after his vehicle developed a mechanical fault along the road.
SEE ALSO: Army Rescues Five Kidnap Victims as Terrorists Flee Kogi Forest Hideouts
According to Adeleye, four armed men emerged from the bush carrying guns, cutlasses, and sticks before attacking and dragging the victim into the forest.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ₦40 million ransom but later reduced it to ₦1.6 million, which the victim’s family paid.
Despite receiving the money, the suspects allegedly refused to release the victim and warned the family against involving security agencies.
Following the suspects’ failure to honour the agreement, the family contacted Amotekun, prompting an intelligence-led operation that traced the kidnappers to a family of four who allegedly disguised themselves as cattle rearers while operating a kidnapping syndicate.
Adeleye said the suspects resisted arrest and attacked Amotekun operatives during the rescue mission but were eventually overpowered.
The victim was rescued with multiple machete and knife injuries sustained during captivity and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Amotekun commander further revealed that more than 75 per cent of the ₦1.6 million ransom was recovered, alongside alcoholic drinks, drugs, cigarettes, and other items allegedly linked to the suspects.
He added that one of the suspects, believed to be the gang leader, had been on Amotekun’s watchlist since 2024 over several kidnapping incidents in the Ondo North Senatorial District but had fled the state before recently returning to allegedly mastermind the latest abduction.
Adeleye reiterated that the security outfit discourages the payment of ransom, assuring that all recovered money would be returned to the victim’s family.
“There is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State, whether in the forests or within our communities. We remain committed to protecting lives and property,” he said.
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 21-year-old man, Samson Onilewaji, after allegedly discovering a suspected human hand, firearms and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The arrest was confirmed on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, who disclosed that the suspect was travelling in an unregistered commercial shuttle bus alongside five other passengers when police officers intercepted the vehicle for inspection.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: Tinubu Sends State Police Bill to Senate as Nigeria Moves to Overhaul Security System
According to Adebisi, a thorough search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal and five ATM cards from the suspect.
She further revealed that preliminary investigations showed the suspect allegedly confessed to recently robbing three people of their valuables, including the POS machine and ATM cards recovered from him.
The police spokesperson said investigators are working to determine the identity of the owner of the suspected human hand, how it came into the suspect’s possession and what it was allegedly intended to be used for.
She added that efforts are ongoing to track down other suspected members of the criminal network believed to be connected to the suspect.
Adebisi stated that the suspect would be arraigned in court after investigations are concluded.
She also quoted the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, as reassuring residents of the command’s commitment to tackling violent crimes and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
The police commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing useful and timely information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and bringing criminals to justice.
‘Adire Was Only a Proposal, Not the New NYSC Uniform’ – Youth Minister Clarifies
Makinde Orders Schools to Recover Lost Learning Time After Orire Kidnappings
Court Affirms David Mark as ADC Chairman, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit
‘Tinubu’s Gov’t Is Held Hostage by Fraudsters’ – Atiku Declares
No More Khaki! FG Unveils Adire as New NYSC Uniform
Nigeria Lands Fresh $1.25bn World Bank Loan to Drive Jobs, Reforms
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
