Britain Probes Alleged Charity Funding For Boko Haram

The British Charity Commission says it is investigating claims by a member of parliament that a UK charity has been involved in funding the Boko Haram sect.

MP Lord Alton wrote on 23 July to the UK Foreign Office minister Lord Howell, raising concerns over funding for the group from UK sources. In a letter of response dated 13 August, Lord Howell said the issue was brought to the attention of the Metropolitan Police and the Charity Commission.

While no specific organisation was named in the response, the Observer newspaper on Sunday reported that a charity named Al-Muntada Trust Fund was at the centre of the enquiries and said the charity has “attracted controversy in the past for giving a platform to radical clerics”.

Yesterday, the Charity Commission  confirmed it was investing the claims but added that there are a number of charities listed under this name and so it has yet to ascertain whether a UK charity is responsible for the funding.

“The commission is aware there may be some concerns with regards to an organisation entitled ‘Al-Muntada Trust Fund’ and specifically allegations that this organisation has provided financial support to the Nigerian group, Boko Haram,” a statement by the charity regulator said.

“There are a number of registered charities with a similar name to this organisation, the commission is not able to confirm at this stage whether or not this relates directly to a UK registered charity.”

Source: Legit.ng