AML/CFT CSO Forum Nigeria held her 2019 anti-money laundering stakeholders session at ECOWAS Lagos Liaison Office on the 9th of August 2019. The event which was held to strengthen the synergy among stakeholders against the menace of money laundering in Nigeria had the following Government Agencies in attendance: ECOWAS; GIABA; National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); National Orientation Agency (NOA); Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIT); Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC); Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC). Others were: Warien Rose Foundation (WRF); National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps( NAVC); Community Development Council,Ajeromi/ Ifelodun,Ajegunle,Apapa;, Bolytag Centre for International Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (BOCIDASS); Vanguard Newspaper and Centre for Financial Journalism.

DISCUSSION
The Chairman, Barr. Efe Anaughe opened the floor for discussions with her remarks, stating the objectives of the gathering. She emphasized that the discussion was basically to talk about Money Laundering/ Financing Terrorism, share ideas, chart a way forward and work together as one to achieve the stated objectives.

She stressed on the importance of intelligence gathering of information/data through the grassroot and different strata of the Society. She noted the societal realities of today of movement of abnormal money from one place to another, corruption, bunkering, human/drug trafficking, arms proliferation, financing of terrorism etc.

AML/CFT CSO Forum Nigeria therefore is a network poised to work with any and all Government Agencies that operate in her thematic area for effective fight against money laundering and counter financing of terrorism

The information Manager, GIABA, Nigeria, Mr. Tim Melaye introduced GIABA and what the body stands for. He told the house the standard meaning of money laundering as defined by the UN. He informed the gathering that there are 21 predicate offences under Money Laundering. In other to fight these offences, GIABA organises capacity building, workshops/ Trainings for stakeholders, CSOs and the Youth to fight ML/ FT in West Africa.

According to him,the major challenge remains the shielding of the sources of the laundered monies. He stated several examples of cases identified, investigated, reported and handled.

In conclusion, he thanked and commended AML/CFT CSO Forum Nigeria for organising the self-funded interactive session.

BRAINSTORMING SESSION
The stakeholders engaged in the business of the day during which observations were stated. Based on the observations raised, the following recommendations were stated:
> Security for CSOs working on AML/CFT is to be considered.
> There should be proper funding of CSOs engaged in AML/CFT activities.
> Sensitisation exercise to be intensified in schools, churches,mosques, motor parks, market places,etc.
> Continuous training and retraining of AML/CFT CSOs and Agencies fighting ML/ TF.
> Material supports for AML/CFT CSOs and Agencies fighting corruption, human trafficking, ML/TF.
> Orientation for the rank and file in Government on attitudinal change by CSOs with the support of AML/CFT CSO Forum and GIABA
> More advocacy programs to be channeled to the security Agencies by the CSOs in partnership with GIABA
> Monthly or quarterly journals or magazines to showcase the activities of CSOs.
> Tackling Government on the porosity of the Nigerian border through appropriate quarters by GIABA and the CSO Group
> Encouraging Chairmen of Local Government to absorb street urchins in their Local Government in public Schools
> Issues delebrated upon to be forwarded to ECOWAS and GIABA.