Publicise religious groups sponsoring terrorism, NASFAT challenges EFCC

The Chief Missioner of the Nasrul-lahil-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, has challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publicise the names of religious organisations found to be financing terrorism.

He spoke in an interview with newsmen during the inauguration of the new National Executive Council (NEC) of the society led by Abdulrauf Abdulwahid as the new President on Sunday.

EFCC chairman revealed last week that the anti-graft agency had uncovered a religious body laundering money for terrorists.

But the NASFAT missioner, while responding to questions, said the EFCC should not stop at uncovering but should go ahead by publicising the organisation, saying the society as a foremost Islamic organisation is not losing sleep over the revelation because it has always made its accounts open.

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He said, “If the EFCC had traced terrorism money to the accounts of religious bodies, they should go after them. You don’t need to be told. Go and do the needful, go and arrest the perpetrators. NASFAT will come clean when it comes to that.

“EFCC should do the needful, they can even publicise the names of those organisations, which will serve as a lesson to those who may have the intention of doing so. He (EFCC Chairman) said it and the issue has been swept under the carpet and that would be the end of it. Why must you tell us? It means you have concluded the investigation and if you have concluded the investigation, go the whole hog by revealing the culprits.”

The inauguration of the new executive followed the dissolution of the former executive led by Mr. Niyi Yusuf which served from 2019 to 2024.

The inauguration was witnessed by Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris; immediate past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; former APC National Legal Adviser, Mr. Muiz Banire, President, Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, Baba Adinni of Owo Land in Ondo State, Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba, a popular clergyman, Evang. (Dr) Kunle Hamilton, among others.

The NASFAT missioner called on the new NEC members to see their appointment as a trust bestowed on them even as he praised the immediate past president whom he stated had taken the society to an enviable level.