CBN Directs Banks to Freeze Pakistani Terror Financier’s Accounts

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered the freeze of accounts related to Abdul Rehman Makki, a Pakistani linked to a terror group, Al-Qeada, by the United Nations Security Council.

In a circular signed by Harry Audu, Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, it stated that financial institutions should immediately comply with the new directive.

The directive by the apex bank ordered all financial institutions to screen their customer databases for possible business relations with the designated individual and file reports to the NFIU.

According to the bank, this is in line with the requirement of the provision 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.

Similarly, the CBN ordered banks to update their sanction screening list to reflect the recent changes in the Noted Nations Security Council UNSC consolidated list.

The circular read in part, “the noted nations security council (UNSC) pursuant to paragraph 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) and Al-Qaida sanction list of individuals and entities that are subject to assets freeze, travel ban and arm embargo as set out in paragraph 1 of security council resolution 2610 (2021)”

Abdul Rehman Makki is identified as the head of LASHKAR-E-TAYYIBA (LET) political affairs by the UN. 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 (proselytization) team. He is the brother-in-law of LET Chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed (QDi.263). Abdul Rehman Makki is wanted by the Indian Government.

Abdul Rehman Makki and other LET/JUD operatives have been involved in raising funds, recruiting and radicalizing youth to violence and planning attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Whilst Makki has held his leadership positions within LET and JUD, LET has been responsible for or had involvement in the following prominent attacks such as the ) Red Fort Attack, ii) Rampur Attack amongst others