The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has urged religious clerics to join the fight against terrorist financing and money laundering on the continent.
GIABA Director General Edwin Harris made the call on Friday at a national sensitization seminar the organization held for religious leaders and institutions on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) in Kano.
Harris, represented by Timothy Melaye, GIABA Director in Nigeria, described the rise in revenue-generating illicit crimes in Africa as a worrying development.
“You will agree with me that the increase in illicit income-generating crimes known as money laundering predicate crimes, such as corruption, kidnapping and human and drug trafficking, among others, in our part of the world is worrying. Added to this is the high level of violent extremism and the obvious challenges associated with these sites,” the official said.
He said this made GIABA harness the tremendous influence of religious leaders and institutions to address some of the ills plaguing society.
“Therefore, this program is a wake-up call for all of us to play our part in ensuring a peaceful, secure and economically viable nation and region at large, through the instrumentality of religion. This is the key reason why GIABA decided to invite eminent personalities like you to this crucial seminar.
“In promoting peaceful coexistence, the voice of our religious leaders must be heard strongly against violent extremism, terrorism, corruption, human trafficking, kidnapping and other predicate crimes. Secondly, they must not only be heard, but they must be seen leading the way with exemplary actions and lifestyles.”
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Melaye expressed optimism that the meeting would be a springboard for religious and opinion leaders to come together to raise awareness about the evils and shape the morale of their followers.
“It is a common belief that religious leaders wield considerable influence among their followers. This is evidence of the potential influence of moral suasion, which could be channeled to increase the good of society.
“We must be bold to speak the truth at all times, speak against evil, follow the good path, advise the evil and report obvious destructive evil to the appropriate authority, when necessary.
“If we must rid society of these evil actions, then we must continue to be the shining light and example that we are; “We must resist all negative influences and help guide the path of our followers in building a safe society,” he reiterated.
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In their separate comments, participants at the event, drawn from various religious and academic groups, praised GIABA for its concern for society.
A former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kano, Adeyemo Adeolu, said the sensitization workshop was timely, stressing that religious leaders would convey the message.
GIABA is a specialized institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), established in 2000 to protect member states against the laundering of the proceeds of crime and combat the financing of terrorism.