EFCC shuts down popular Kaduna hotel over money laundering violations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), has sealed off the Hampton Hilton Hotel and Apartments in Kaduna for repeatedly breaching Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.

The enforcement action was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

According to the commission, the hotel failed to comply with critical provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations.

The hotel, which is classified as a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP), falls under a high-risk category for potential money laundering activities. SCUML said it conducted multiple compliance assessments and found consistent violations, including failure to register with the unit and implement necessary internal control measures.

He said the first evaluation carried out on June 4, 2024, revealed several breaches of the law, prompting the issuance of administrative sanctions.

Oyewale, however, said follow-up compliance assessment on June 13, 2025, found that the establishment had committed further violations.

He said, “SCUML the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has sealed up Hampton Hilton Hotel and Apartments, Kaduna, for non-compliance with the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations of the Financial Action Task Force, FATF for Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, DNFBPs.

“The entity was found to have committed multiple infractions in the course of the first evaluation carried out on it, on June 4, 2024, leading to the issuance of administrative sanctions to it by SCUML. ”

Consequently, he said SCUML imposed a fine of N2.3m, with a seven-day deadline for payment and full compliance with the relevant regulations.

“It was also found to have committed further infractions following the compliance evaluation of June 13, 2025, for which it was slammed N2,300,000.00 fine, payable within seven days and with instruction to ensure full compliance with the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022 and AML/CFT regulations or face further consequences.

“While it refused to pay the fine, it, as well, dishonoured SCUML’s invite to show up for compliance evaluation, resulting in the sealing of the premises, ” Oyewale added.

The EFCC warned that further consequences await institutions that flout anti-money laundering laws and urged designated businesses and professions to adhere strictly to regulatory obligations.