EFCC vows to question lawmakers on alleged terrorist financing

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it will look into allegations of terrorism financing and banditry in Zamfara leveled against the member representing Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency of the state in the House of Representatives , Hon. Aminu Sani-Jaji.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this when the Nigerian Patriotic Youth Against Corruption (NPYAC) stormed the anti-graft agency's headquarters in Abuja on Friday to submit a petition demanding an investigation on Sani-Jaji.

Oyewale assured the protesters that he would submit their petition to the President, Olanipekun Olukoyede and they would hear from the Commission in a few days.

“…in a few days you will hear from us on this matter. I will give the floor to the President and the Commission will do everything necessary.

“So, once again, I want to thank all of us for this protest and I also want to appeal to us: as we lead a protest like this, let us deploy our energies in the fight against corruption so that we can all together, we will fight the monster together.

“We like the fact that when you see something, you say something. So you saw something now and you said something. We are going to do something,” he said.

Speaking while submitting the petition, NPYAC spokesperson Comrade Felix Great said recent concerns had surfaced regarding the alleged involvement of Hon. Jaji, a prominent personality in Zamfara State, funds terrorist activities through alliances with bandits, with a political objective in mind.

He said the NPYAC is deeply disturbed by these allegations and considers it crucial to address the matter with utmost urgency and considers such actions a serious threat to the security and well-being of the State of Zamfara, of the nation and its citizens.

Great also informed the EFCC about an organization dubbed “Baba For All”, allegedly founded and funded by the lawmaker and which he said operated as a conduit for money laundering and financing nefarious gang activities, thereby betraying its ostensible philanthropic objectives.

“We humbly address the EFCC with a passionate appeal regarding this issue of paramount national importance and exigency that has deeply destabilized our organization and the citizens of Nigeria.

“We have been assessed based on credible intelligence, supported by corroborated sources, which implicates Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji sympathizes with some armed bandits in Zamfara State and in some cases he has a penchant for doling out money to them to advance and facilitate his political position in the state.

“Various stories relayed by our network attest to frequent meetings between the Hon. The Gusau residence of Jaji and notorious bandit leaders and their cohorts of banditry sympathizers. These meetings, confirmed by reliable testimonies, allege the illicit transfer of large monetary sums, both in Nigerian naira and foreign currencies, by the Hon. Jaji to these bandits and their sympathizers.

“Alarming allegations have emerged, particularly in Zamfara State, involving Hon. Jaji in collusive associations with Bureau de Change operators complicit in the pernicious enterprise of financing terrorism.

“We are compelled to draw the attention of the EFCC to the fact that Honorable Aminu Sani Jaji chaired the Committee on Public Safety and National Intelligence of the House of Representatives during a period marked by lengthy discussions on the “missing millions of dollars”.

“Our organization raises this issue, which has surreptitiously escaped scrutiny, and calls for a transparent investigation, with a commitment to utmost transparency and accountability to the Nigerian people.

“We strongly believe that Hon. Jaji’s tenure as chairman of the Committee on Public Safety and National Intelligence was marred by insidious dealings, suspicious financial discrepancies and the suppression of serious allegations of corruption,” he added.