Senate confirms Hafsat Bakari as NFIU Boss

The Senate has confirmed Hafsat Bakari’s appointment as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) director.

Her confirmation followed the adoption of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes screening report at the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday.

The report was presented by the chairman of the committee, Emmanuel Udende (APC-Benue).

Mr Udende, while presenting the report, said after a thorough screening of the nominee, the committee was satisfied with her capacity to be appointed as director of NFIU

He urged the Senate to confirm her appointment.

Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) said her appointment was a square peg in a square hole, given her steering performance and experiences over the years in fighting financial crimes.

He said Ms Bakari’s experience would help fight financial terrorism and money laundering activities.

Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) said the nominee was experienced in fighting financial crimes.

Mr Ningi said he was sure the nominee was apolitical as she was not disposed to political leanings; hence, it was a good choice for Nigeria.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks after the confirmation, thanked the committee for screening the nominee.

He congratulated Ms Bakari and hoped she would bring her experience to her new appointment.

Ms Bakari is a lawyer and financial intelligence expert with years of experience in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF).

Before being appointed the chief executive officer of the NFIU, she served as deputy director at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit

At different times, she was the head of the General Services Unit, the Strategy and Reorientation Unit, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) board secretariat.

(NAN)