MONEYGRAM overseas (pty) Limited says Nigeria has not been involved in money laundering in its money transfer activity, hence its blacklisting from using its money transfer services is unfounded. The Regional Director, Africa, MoneyGram Overseas Limited, Vicky Johnston disclosed this yesterday, while addressing newsmen in Lagos over the recent report that Nigeria had been blacklisted by MoneyGram on account of money laundering.

Speaking, she said " We were shocked to hear that we have stopped our agents in Nigeria from carrying out money transfer services under MoneyGram. It is not true. Our agents in Nigeria have never done any money laundering business. We are still partnering with them and will continue to do so provided our agents continue to abide by the rules and agreement reached." According to her "The Southern Africa correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had on Tuesday reported that in public notices placed at Rennies Banks , operators of MoneyGram across the world, have been blacklisted and that Nigeria was among those countries that have been blacklisted because of non compliance with international convention on money laundering . It is a scandalous story and we have started investigating the source of the story.

She further stated "this report does not reflect the state of the beneficial and highly ethical relationship between MoneyGram and the United Bank for Africa (UBA)Plc which has been representing MoneyGram Oversea in money transfer services. UBA and MoneyGram have had long standing partnership covering over seven years. We placed high value on our agents in Nigeria because we have market in the country and the entire Africa .

To this extent, Johnston advised all its customers both prospective ones leaving overseas to use the MoneyGram money transfer to send money to their relatives in Nigeria.

Speaking, the Business Development Manager, West Africa, MoneyGram, Mr. Habib Ndao said " the story from NAN is scandalous and capable of sending wrong signal to the beneficiary of our money transfer services. We are here in the country to investigate the story since there has never been any statement from MoneyGram that it has disengaged Nigeria from undertaking its money transfer services"

Responding, the representative agents of MoneyGram in Nigeria which include: UBA Plc, Global Bank, Equatorial Trust Bank Limited, Fountain Trust Bank Limited, and Hall mark stated that they were happy MoneyGram would continue to partner with them.