5th April, 2011
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has issued a two-week ultimatum to all hotel operators whose activities are not regulated by relevant regulatory bodies such as the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC to regularize their operations or face criminal prosecution.
The warning, according to a statement by the EFCC, follows findings by the anti-graft agency that many of the hotels that have failed to provide information about their operations are being used as havens for criminality especially money laundering and cyber crime.
“Investigations by the Commission reveal that over 3,000 hotels across the country are either not registered or regulated by NTDC, or are without sign boards thus making enquiries from relevant regulatory bodies in the course of investigation a near impossibility. “
Of late, enquiries sent to NTDC on specific information about some hotels have been returned void, a development that hampers investigation of criminal activities involving some hotels. “As a result, the Executive Chairman has mandated a team of operatives to comb for such hotels at the expiration of the two weeks ultimatum.
“The Commission will also like to warn all hotel operators, tour operators and others which fall under Designated Non – Financial Institutions to close their doors to any form of illegal dealings or face the wrath of the lawâ€, the statement stressed.