FG Silent As Lafarge Convicted Over Terror Financing

FG Silent As Lafarge Convicted Over Terror Financing
Nigerian government yet to respond to court ruling on case
Eight ex officials including CEO jailed over terrorism financing

The Federal Government of Nigeria has yet to issue an official response following the conviction of French cement giant Lafarge over terrorism financing.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a court in Paris found the company guilty of paying millions of dollars to jihadist groups, including Islamic State, to sustain its operations in Syria during the civil war.

According to the ruling delivered on Monday, eight former Lafarge employees were also convicted for financing terrorism. Among them is former Chief Executive Officer, Bruno Lafont, who was sentenced to six years in prison.

The court held that Lafarge paid about $6.5 million between 2013 and 2014 to armed groups to keep its cement plant running in northern Syria.

Presiding judge Isabelle Prevost Desprez said the payments enabled proscribed groups to gain control of natural resources, which in turn funded attacks across the Middle East and Europe.

Despite the development, Nigerian authorities have not publicly commented on the conviction. Efforts to obtain reactions from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation were unsuccessful.

When contacted, the Head of Strategic Communications at the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the ONSA, Michael Abu, said the matter would be addressed at a press briefing scheduled for Thursday.

Similarly, Kamarudeen Ogundele, media aide to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, declined to comment on the issue.

FG Silent As Lafarge Convicted Over Terror Financing

The ruling comes days after the Nigerian government released a list of 48 individuals and organisations allegedly linked to terrorism financing within the country, highlighting ongoing concerns over terror funding networks.