By Ragan M Conteh
“I have spotted lots of lacunas in the Anti-Money Laundry Bill tabled in Parliament for enactment,” says Hon Bashiru Silikie.
He made this statement on Monday 4th March 2024, as he was addressing colleague MPs.
The bill was sent to the legislative committee for scrutiny.
The Anti- Money Laundry of Terrorism and Financing Combating and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction” is passed to curb the many issues of money laundering in the country.
Hon. Silikie, the ruling government leader in parliament, continued that though he had not thoroughly read the Bill which he referred to as a bulk one and thus he had encouraged his colleague MPs to look into it keenly.
He said the bill created the establishment of the office of Deputy Director General which has not been in existence.
He had called for FIU Director General, David Borbor, to brief them on the reason for the creation of an office of Deputy Director General.
The bill, he said, bestows or confers lots of powers on the Director General.
Hon Silikie said the Deputy Director General should be approved by the president but after a consultation with the Director General, adding that the FIU should be supervised by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
All laws made by parliament, he said, require the minister to have a leverage over other appointments.
He emphasized that the minister should consult the president first rather than the decision coming from the minister to the Director General.
Hon. Silikie also observed that in the Bill the phrase a “me” is used instead of “shall” and as parliament, they often apply mandatory statements in respective acts but not open ended statements.
He disclosed that the Office of Director General should be answerable to the board whereas the board provides policy guidance to the institution
He retreated that the Director General and his Deputy are answerable to the board for the smooth running of the institution.
“Though I have not able to read the Bill, but I have noticed some abnormalities in it,” he said.
Hon Silikie said the committee expected the professionals from FIU to take them through the bill and encouraged every MP to have copies of the Bill for them to ask necessary questions regarding the document.
Hon. Silikie said they are going to use their conscience as MPs representing the people and would make sure that whatever law they are passing in parliament stands the test of time.
He referenced clause 163 in the Bill which highlights the responsibilities to the Director General.
Other MPs raised some concerns with respect to the Bill.