The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has issued a stern warning that tax evasion, the submission of false declarations, and other financial malpractices are not just illegal but constitute a grave disservice to the nation.

This was stated by the Commission’s Acting Zonal Director for the Kano Zonal Directorate, Sa’ad Hanafi, during a one-day sensitization workshop jointly organized by the commission, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture to enhance trade compliance.

Speaking at the event, Hanafi emphasized that such illegal trade practices rob the nation of vital resources needed for critical infrastructure and social services.

He revealed that the commission, in collaboration with sister agencies, is deploying advanced intelligence and technology to stamp out these illicit activities, describing the workshop as a strategic collaboration to boost compliance among the business community.

“Today’s event, jointly organized by the EFCC, the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, and the Nigeria Customs Service, stands as a powerful testament to our shared resolve to foster a more transparent, compliant, and prosperous economic environment in Kano and Nigeria at large,” Hanafi said.

He noted that the workshop’s theme, ‘Enhancing Trade Compliance and Adherence to Legal Regulations: The Critical Role of Law Enforcement Agencies, and Chamber of Commerce in Trade Facilitation and Enforcing Legal Tax Regulations,’ was a call to action to unlock the full potential of Kano’s vibrant commercial landscape through integrity and adherence to the rule of law.

Hanafi explained that while enforcement is a core mandate of agencies like the EFCC and NCS, their ultimate goal is prevention and the protection of the financial system’s integrity.

“We are here to protect the integrity of our financial system, safeguard our economy from the scourge of illicit financial flows, trade malpractices, and ensure that every citizen and corporate entity fulfils their legal obligations, including tax payments,” he stated.

He urged businesses to view regulatory adherence not as a burden, but as a strategic advantage that builds corporate integrity and guarantees long-term sustainability.

“Compliance is not a burden, but a strategic advantage. It builds corporate integrity, enhances your brand reputation, and guarantees the long-term sustainability of your enterprises. Tax evasion, submission of false declarations, and other financial malpractices are not just illegal; they are a disservice to our nation, robbing it of the resources needed for critical infrastructure and social services. The EFCC, in collaboration with sister agencies, is increasingly deploying intelligence and technology to track and disrupt these sophisticated schemes,” he asserted.

He concluded by calling for a partnership, stating, “The Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, is the voice of business, the advocate for a conducive environment for trade and investment. This workshop signifies a necessary and strategic alignment of our roles… We must be partners in progress, not impediments to it.”

Representing the Nigeria Customs Service, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, Nsikan Umoh, highlighted the service’s recent advancements under the leadership of Comptroller General Bashir Adeniyi.

She said the NCS has deployed cutting-edge technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and trade facilitation tools like the Authorized Economic Operators and Time Release Studies to enhance predictability and transparency in its operations.

Umoh commended the collaborative effort, noting that the workshop’s theme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to achieve sustainable economic prosperity.

Earlier, the President of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, Usman Darma, expressed the chamber’s readiness to collaborate with law enforcement agencies. He affirmed KACCIMA’s commitment to educating its members and ensuring their full compliance with all trade regulations.