The allegation by a member of UK parliament that a UK based charity organized is involved in funding the Boko Haram sect has come under the probe of the British Charity Commission.MP Lord Alton had on the 23 July, 2012 wrote a letter to the UK Foreign Office Minister Lord Howell, saying the group is enjoyingfunding 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.”
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