The federal government says the £4.2m loot recovered from
James Ibori, former governor of Delta state, will be used to fund three
infrastructural projects including the second Niger bridge.
Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF),
listed the two other projects as the Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kano expressways.
The government had earlier deployed $321 million loot
recovered from Sani Abacha, former head of state, for the construction of the
same projects.
The fresh loot was seized from Ibori who was convicted of fraud and money laundering by a UK court
It will be returned to Nigeria following a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) signed on Tuesday by the federal government and the UK.
At the MoU signing in Abuja, Malami said Nigeria remains
committed to combating illicit financial flows and ensuring that forfeited or
recovered proceeds of corruption are deployed “to the benefit of the masses.”
“It is to be recalled that the Nigerian Government had all
along provided the required mutual assistance and backup to the British
authorities while the prosecution of James Ibori lasted in London and today, we
are rightfully taking benefit of that cooperation,” he said.
“Hence, in consonance with existing framework or model
engaged in the management of previous recoveries, the Federal Executive Council
under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the
instant repatriated funds should be deployed towards the completion of the
following legacy projects: the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja – Kano expressway and
the Lagos – Ibadan expressway under the coordination of the Nigeria Social
Investment Authority (NSIA) to ensure integrity of the process.”
The minister of justice also said a civil society
organisation has been engaged to monitor how the recovered funds will be used
to fund the three projects.
“We have established, as a government, a reputation of
transparency and accountability of utilization of recovered assets as a nation.
These assets will in no way be different in terms of application,” he added.
This is Delta State fund and should be returned to Delta State. That is justice.
ReplyDeleteThat fund belongs to Delta State and it will be unfair to use it for Federal Project when Delta State is in dire need of fund to better the life of Deltans. Sani Abacha loot was Federal Government money and could be used for Federal Projects. The money should be used for exclusively Delta State projects that will benefit the life of Deltans.
ReplyDelete