Bankers to declare assets from June 1 – Bawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will demand that all bankers in the country fill out asset declaration forms.

Abdulrasheed Bawa, the chairman of the anti-graft agency, told State House correspondents in Abuja that bankers will be needed to present the forms starting June 1.

He briefed reporters on Tuesday following a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in the nation’s capital.

“The EFCC, come June 1, 2021, will be demanding these assets forms filled by the bankers and for us to see that the line that we have drawn from June 1 is fully complied with by all, bankers in particular,” the EFCC chief said.

He clarified that the commission made the decision in response to complaints about bankers’ positions in the battle against corruption.

This, according to Bawa, is because criminals will still want access to the proceeds of their crime.

Bankers will be required to report their assets, and the commission will ensure that all workers in the country’s banking industry follow the guideline, he said.

The EFCC chief said, “The assurance that I am going to give Nigerians going forward is that we will do our best to ensure that this country is free of economic and financial crimes.

“We understood that the tail end of every financial crime is for the criminals to have access to the funds that he or she has illegitimately gotten, and we are worried about the roles of financial institutions.”

“God willing, we hope that all financial institutions, particularly the bankers will declare their assets as provided for by the law in accordance with the Bank Employees, Etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act,” he added.