MEDIATRACNET
The time is not ripe yet for the holistic disclosure by the Federal Government of the names of terrorism financiers, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said.
The Spokesperson to the Minister, Umar Gwandu, quoted him as saying in a statement on Wednesday in Washington that such disclosure of the names of the financiers of Boko Haram and other terrorism activities would be pre-emptive to the ongoing investigation process on the issue.
Malami who defended the government decision not to name terrorism financiers said this had become imperative so as not to jeopardise ongoing investigations.
Despite the recent decision by the authorities of the United Arab Emirates and other countries to disclose the names of some Nigerians as terrorism sponsors, Federal Government has continued to ignore calls for it also do the same.
The President’s Spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the government would rather prosecute the suspects at the appropriate time.
Speaking on the issue on Wednesday Malami said the government was working vigorously to sustain the fight against terrorism in the country by ensuring Boko Haram financiers and other terrorism sponsors were prosecuted.
He said at the moment, investigation has reached an advanced stage, adding the government would make a public statement on the issue in due course.
“Time is not ripe for holistic disclosures on the names of terrorism sponsors, so as not to pre-empt the ongoing investigation process.
“The prime object remains the attainment of peace and security of our dear nation.
“As per as terrorism funding and financing is concerned, we have succeeded in identifying those that are allegedly responsible for funding same and we are blocking the leakages associated with funding, while embarking on aggressive investigation that is indeed impacting positively in terms of the fight against terrorism.
“The truth of the matter is that investigation is ongoing and advancing. For the purpose of investigation, I would not like to be pre-emptive, in terms of making disclosures that will undermine the successes we are recording,”Malami said.
He insisted that whatever the government was doing in terms of arrest and detention of suspects was indeed backed up by judicial processes.
Malami said the government through the Complex Case Group of the Department of Public Prosecution of the Federation in his Office reviewed over 1,000 Boko Haram case files out of which 285 cases have been filed before the Federal High Court based on prima facie cases of terrorism against them.
“As far as terrorism funding and financing is concerned, we have succeeded in identifying those that are allegedly responsible for funding same and we are blocking the leakages associated with funding while embarking on aggressive investigation that is indeed impacting positively in terms of the fight against terrorism.
“The truth of the matter is that investigation is ongoing and advancing. For the purpose of investigation, I would not like to be pre-emptive in terms of making disclosures that will have effect of undermining the successes we are recording,”
