February 07, (THEWILL) – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed financial institutions in the country to freeze bank accounts of individuals linked to Abdul Rahman Makki.
The apex bank conveyed the directive in a circular to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) dated February 2, 2023.
Abdul Rehman Makki was on 16 January 2023, listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as being associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating acts” of terrorism.
According to a UN document, Makki is the head of LASHKAR-E-TAYYIBA (LET) political affairs. He served as head of LET’s foreign relations department and member of Shura (governing body).
He is also a member of JUD’s Markazi (Central) Team and Daawati (proselytisation) team. He is brother-in-law of LET Chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed (QDi.263).
Makki is wanted by the Indian Government for terrorrism. He and other LET/JUD operatives have been involved in raising funds, recruiting and radicalising youth to violence and planning attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
While the UN alleged that Makki has held leadership positions within LET and JUD, LET have been responsible and involved in the “Red Fort Attack; Rampur Attack and 26/11 Mumbai attack among others”.
Consequently, the Nigerian apex bank instructed banks to screen their database for accounts linked to Abdul Rehman Makki.
The circular seen by THEWILL and signed by Harry J. Audu for the CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, reads: “Pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 of resolution 2368 (2017) had on January 16, 2023 listed Abdul Rehman Makki as being associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida and has accordingly been added to the ISIL (Da’esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities that are subject to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo as set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2610 (2021).
“Further to the requirements of the provisions of Section 6 of the CBN AML/CFT Regulations, 2022 and Section 4.3 of the CBN Guidelines on Targeted Financial Sanctions Related to Terrorism and Terrorism Financing, 2022, all financial institutions are required to immediately: Screen their customer database for a business relationship with the designated individual and file a report to the NFIU.
“Update their sanctions screening list to reflect the recent changes in the UNSC Consolidated Lists.”
About the Author
