By Charles Uche ESQ
Incorporating and fronting companies is a convenient and effective way of concealing identity, engaging in illicit transactions and evading liabilities. In many countries, a company can be formed without disclosing the identity of the individual who ultimately controls or profits from the business, i.e., the beneficial owner. Criminals and politically exposed persons (PEPs) can assign “nominee” shareholders to be listed on official documents or can list other legal entities (other companies can be shareholders in a company) as the “owners,” thereby creating a chain of companies–often across borders–that can be difficult for investigators and law enforcement to trace and recover.

Connected Development (CODE), has over the year, through its Conflict & Fragility project, in partnership with Oxfam-in-Nigeria advocated for a robust beneficial Ownership transparency through the instrumentality of a robust legislation as an essential means for combating corruption, stemming illicit financial flows, and fighting tax evasion. While many initiatives exist to maintain and disclose beneficial owners of companies in Nigeria, like the Beneficial Ownership Register launched by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in December 2019, none of them until the enactment of the 2020 Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) had the statutory backing for enforcement.
Documents from Panama papers on Dan Etete and Kolawole Aluko can be used as classical case studies in demonstrating how these two individuals, like many others, capitalised on the non-existent or fragile regulatory framework in Nigeria’s extractive “oil & gas” sector to launder money and evade liabilities which has cost the Nigerian government and people revenue in the billions of dollars. Till date, none of the aforementioned persons has been successfully prosecuted and convicted partly due to concealment of identities and fronting of shell companies in their transactions. Shell companies are legal entities “companies” that are non-operational and lack assets or staff. They are conveniently used by money launderers to keep their identities hidden while they engage in illicit transactions across borders and evade tax.
Dan Etete: Dan Etete, a former Petroleum Minister under Nigerias Dictator Head-of-State, Gen. Sani Abacha had in 1998, incorporated a Shell company named “Malabu Oil & Gas Limited” using a fictitious name “Kweku Amafegha”, with few other persons, while he was the ultimate and beneficial owner of the company – though his real name did not appear in any official documents. Five days after he incorporated this company, he, as Petroleum Minister, awarded this company an oil block “OPL 245”. He used this shell company to launder money across the Nigerian border and acquire luxurious assets, while escaping liabilities.

Kolawole Aluko: Kola Aluko is a businessman and oil executive. Media reports have described Aluko as a key ally to Alison-Madueke, a relationship both have previously denied. He rose to prominence around 2011 when Nigeria’s government awarded two companies he founded or owned valuable oil blocks on a no-bid basis. One of his companies, Atlantic Energy, was created the day before it inked the deals to acquire multimillion-dollar oil licenses.
In Nigeria, only a member of a Public Company (PLC) was under obligation, under the old 1990 CAMA, to disclose in writing when required, the capacity in which he holds any shares in the company; either as a beneficial owner or as a nominee of an interested person. See Sections 94-98, old CAMA.
The 2020 CAMA in section 119 has extended such obligation (to disclose the particulars of shareholding by notifying the company) to persons with significant control in all companies. Similarly, as provided in section 120 of the new CAMA, a person who is a substantial shareholder in a public company and holding (either by himself or by his nominee/proxy) shares in the company which entitle him to exercise at least five per cent (5%) of the unrestricted voting rights at any general meeting of the company, is required to disclose such holding by notifying the company within a stipulated time.
This new disclosure provisions are poised to enhance transparency and prevent asset shielding as well as combat money laundering, terrorism financing and all forms of illicit financial flows by legal entities having limited liability.
While there is no gainsaying that the above disclosure provisions would enhance transparency and accountability in the Extractive sector in Nigeria, especially in the Petroleum Industry, as many of the oil and gas companies are private limited liability companies (LTD); many of which have ‘rightly’ escaped disclosure obligations with no legal sanction – there is also an urgent need for the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) which has as one of its core objectives – “to promote transparency and accountability in the administration of petroleum resources of Nigeria”.
Comments (16871)
Leave a Reply to Евросоюз кормит обещаниями Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Thank you so much for the help!!! I am having lots of fun playing with all the GraphicMama puppets.
If you want to increase your knowledge just
keep visiting this web site and be updated with the most up-to-date gossip posted
here.
My developer іs tryіng to persuade me tօ move to .net fгom PHP.
I haѵe ɑlways disliked the idea because
of the costs. Bսt he’s tryiong none the ⅼess. I’ѵе
bеen usіng Movable-type on a variety օf websites ffor аbout a
year and am anxious abоut switching to ɑnother platform.
Ӏ haνе heard grеat tһings about blogengine.net.
Is tһere ɑ way I cаn transfer aⅼl mʏ wordpress cntent іnto it?
Any кind of help ѡould be really appreciated!
Feel fee tο visit my site :: Túi xách nữ da mềm hàng hiệu
I do agree with all the ideas you have offered on your post.
They are very convincing and can definitely work.
Still, the posts are too brief for beginners. May just you please extend them a
bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I am going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Here is my web site: cashofferplease
Keep on working, great job!
What’s up to all, the contents present at this web site are genuinely awesome for people
knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
Also visit my web blog – cashofferplease
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying
to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords
but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any
please share. Many thanks!
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post.
Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
bookmarked!!, I really like your blog!
Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share opinions.
Great blog, continue the good work!
Usun thเว็บสล็อตโดยตรงbetflik 50 รับ300ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ เว็บสล็อต ฝาก-ถอนอัตโนมัติ มาแรงในปี 2022 สล็อตเว็บโดยตรงกำลังเป็นที่นิยมในหมวดการพนันออนไลน์ เว็บสล็อตได้เปิดให้บริการเกมสล็อตออนไลน์แล้ว สำหรับผู้เล่นที่กำลังมองหาสล็อตเว็บตรง
2022 มีเกมสล็อตให้คุณเลือกมากกว่า 1,000 เกม
Как поднять бабла- авиатор игра наденьги
авиатор игра на деньги
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this
post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly
you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
What’s up mates, good paragraph and nice arguments commented at this
place, I am actually enjoying by these.
Thanks in support of sharing such a fastidious idea, post is fastidious, thats why i have read it fully
Good post. I definitely love this site. Stick with
it!
BETFLIK6789 หรือมีอีกชื่อว่าbetflik โปร 50 รับ 100 เบทฟิก นั้นเป็นศูนย์รวมคาสิโนออนไลน์ระดับโลกมอบความนำสมัยที่สุด เหมาะสมที่สุดในประเทศไทยในในขณะนั้น
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both
educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The problem is something not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy I found this in my search for something concerning this.
A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you need to write more about this issue,
it might not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t talk about such subjects.
To the next! All the best!!
I enjoy reading a post that will make men and women think.
Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
THANKS FOR THE TRUTH !! AN GLOBAL EYE OPENER
FOR MANY PEOPLE !!
Hi there, I enjoy reading through your post.
I like to write a little comment to support you.
What’s up, its fastidious post on the topic of media print, we all understand media is
a great source of information.
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d
like to send you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
What’s up to every one, it’s really a fastidious for me to pay a
quick visit this web page, it contains useful Information.
Your mode of describing all in this piece of writing is truly
pleasant, every one be capable of simply be aware of it, Thanks a lot.
Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. Nevertheless just imagine if you
added some great images or video clips to give your
posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics
and clips, this blog could certainly be one of the most beneficial in its field.
Wonderful blog!
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have
put in writing this site. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you later
on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to
get my own, personal website now 😉
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about
this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is
fantastic blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
Olá , eu acredito seu site pode ser tendo navegador compatibilidade
problemas. Sempre que eu olhar para o seu blog no Safari, parece bem no entanto,
quando abertura no I.E., tem alguns problemas sobrepostos.
Eu simplesmente queria dar-lhe um alerta rápido!
Além disso , maravilhoso blog !
Also visit my blog Forum Plannote
This piece of writing will assist the internet viewers for building up new web
site or even a blog from start to end.
My page :: Food Composter
excellent points altogether, you simply gained a brand
new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made some days ago?
Any sure?
Your good knowledge and kindness in playing with all the pieces were very useful.
I don’t know what I would have done if I had not encountered such a
step like this.
Nicely put. Many thanks!
With havin so much written content do you
ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My blog has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it
up all ovfer the web without my authorization. Do you know any solutions to help stop content from being stolen? I’d
genuinely appreciate it.
Very good site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about here?
I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!
Top10danhgia.com.vn website chuyên review, đánh giá,
xếp hạng các công ty, shop, dịch vụ, sản phẩm…
ở TPHCM 1 cách khách quan và trung thực nhất.
Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how
can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
подъемник ножничный передвижной
[url=https://nozhnichnyye-podyemniki-dlya-sklada.ru]https://nozhnichnyye-podyemniki-dlya-sklada.ru[/url]
Hi I am so glad I found your website, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Digg
for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to
say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it
all at the minute but I have saved it and also
added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
read a lot more, Please do keep up the awesome job.
I’m not sure exactly why but this site is loading
incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem
or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I
provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from a lot of the
information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you.
Many thanks!
● Genel stil genellikle ürünlerden birinden, genellikle yeni bir çevrimiçi slot oyunundan ilham alır, ancak oldukça ince kalır.
● Web sitesi farklı dillerde mevcut olduğundan, dünyanın farklı yerlerinden oyuncular
katılmaya davetlidir.
Contents hide
1 ▼ Sekabet giriş ve kayıt:
2 ▼ Sekabet giriş bilgileri:
3 ▼ Sekabet giriş ve lisans:
4 ▼ Sekabet giriş yazılım ve oyun çeşitleri:
5 ▼ Sekabet giriş ve mobil uygulama:
6 ▼ Sekabet giriş ve güvenlik:
7 ▼ Sekabet giriş ve bonuslar:
8 ▼ Sekabet giriş de sadakat programı:
8.1 ۞Aşamalı Jackpotlar
9 ▼ Sekabet müşteri hizmeti:
10 Sonuç olarak:
▼ Sekabet giriş ve kayıt:
► Sekabet bahis sitesine kayıt olmak ve bir hesap oluşturmak çok basittir.
Sekabet’e giriş ve sağlanan olanak ve hizmetlerden yararlanmak için kayıt sürecini dikkatli bir şekilde geçirmeniz gerekir.
● Kullanıcı önce Sekabet’e giriş yapmalı ve ardından sayfanın sağ köşesinde yer alan kayıt seçeneğine tıklamalıdır.
Sekabet giriş yöntemleri farklıdır ve siz Google de adresini arayarak veya sosyal medya hesaplarından Sekabet’in güncel giriş adresine ulaşma
imkânınız var.
играть в казино на деньги азино777 официальный сайт
казино мобильная версия.
I really like it when individuals coke together and share opinions.
Great website, stick with it!
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment.
I believe that you ought to publish more on this subject matter,
it may not be a taboo matter but generally people
don’t discuss these issues. To the next! All the best!!
Usun thเว็บสล็อตโดยตรงรวมโปร betflixไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ เว็บสล็อต ฝาก-ถอนอัตโนมัติ
มาแรงในปี 2022 สล็อตเว็บโดยตรงกำลังเป็นที่นิยมในหมวดการพนันออนไลน์ เว็บสล็อตได้เปิดให้บริการเกมสล็อตออนไลน์แล้ว สำหรับผู้เล่นที่กำลังมองหาสล็อตเว็บตรง 2022
มีเกมสล็อตให้คุณเลือกมากกว่า
1,000 เกม
Guess the exchange rate, bitcoin and get money. Start with $10 and
you can earn up to $1000 in a day, see how Here
It’s remarkable to go to see this website
and reading the views of all friends concerning this article,
while I am also keen of getting familiarity.
Feel free to visit my web page … https://www.sovross.ru/articles/2139/52623