N7bn Terror Funding: Shari’ah Council Demands Full Disclosure by EFCC

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), has urged the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to urgently reveal the identity of the religious body allegedly sponsoring terrorism/insurgency with ₦7billion.

The Council also expressed dismay over the composition of security committee set by the Plateau State Governor to investigate the violent attacks and killings in the state, describing it as biased against the Muslim.

In a statement by the president of the council, Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullah, and the Secretary General, Malam Nafi’u Baba Ahmed, the group said the EFCC should not hesitate to name religious group associated with the criminal act.

“Regarding the recent disclosure by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) about religious groups sponsoring insurgency in Nigeria, the Council demands the Commission to disclose the identity of the religious body allegedly sponsoring terrorism/insurgency with ₦7billion out of ₦13 billion traced to its account.

“This revelation has sent shockwaves across the nation, raising concerns about potential fund misuse for activities threatening Nigeria’s peace and security,” he said.
The Shari’ah Council further said the gravity of the situation called for immediate public clarification of the group and decisive action to address the disturbing nexus between religious groups and insurgency.

“Accordingly, we urgently call upon the EFCC to publish the list of all sponsors involved in criminal activities. The alleged disclosure of ₦7 billion linked to a religious group’s account is a matter of grave concern, and citizens demand proper legal action against sponsors and those found complicit in financing activities undermining the nation’s security.

“We further call on the EFCC to expedite the release of the list of sponsors and collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure prompt legal actions are taken,” it said.
On the probe panel inaugurated by the Plateau state government to find out causes of persistent violence and killings in parts of the state, Shari’ah Council said its concerns were about fairness and inclusivity, alleging that the entire members of committee were Christians.

“In light of the recent letter released by the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State on January 29th, 2024, addressing the ongoing crises that have claimed numerous lives and caused extensive property damage in the state, we express our deep outrage at the gross insensitivity over the constitution of the security committee by the State Governor.

“The composition of the committee has raised serious questions about fairness and inclusivity, since the entire members of committee are Christians, expected to superintend over a lingering religious crisis,” it said.