Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) finally admitted on Monday that the letter asking legislators and judicial officers to acquaint it of their bank account details indeed emanated from it.
This is after after several denials.
The NFIU, however, attributed it to an officer who “was obviously unacquainted with the fact that the NFIU already had access to such information through its database.”
In a statement endorsed by Ahmed Dikko, chief media analyst, the agency nonetheless noted that it has the major responsibility, in accordance with global standards, to maintain and regularly update the list of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
According to the statement, since a new government was inaugurated in May 2019, it became necessary to update the list of politically exposed persons.
“The officer who initiated the unauthorized letter was also taking the initiative to update the PEPs list.
“This list includes politicians and political appointees in all organs of government.
“The update exercise which is a regular practice in order to protect public funds and other assets is also in accordance with global best practice.”