Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, says the preventive measures adopted by the Federal Government to check corruption and manage recovered stolen assets was responsible for successes recorded in the repatriation of some stolen funds stashed away overseas.
Malami said this in New York, United States, at the 2021 annual public lecture organised by the Centre for Media and Peace Initiative.
The Nigerian government had recovered so far $322.52m from Switzerland, $311.7m from the United States, €5.4m from Northern Island, and €4,214,017.66 and $200m from the United Kingdom.
In a statement by his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, on Tuesday Malami said the present administration in Nigeria had taken steps, in terms of legislative frameworks, establishment of institutions, and policy measures targeted at combatting corruption, regional corporation, and ensuring good governance for the benefit of citizens.
“In 2017, the signing of a trilateral agreement with Switzerland and World Bank enabled the recovery of $322.515 million,” Malami was quoted to have said.
“In 2020, a total sum of $311.7m was returned to Nigeria after signing another trilateral agreement with the U.S.A and Bailiwick of Jersey.
“Also in the year 2020, 5.4 million Euros was recovered in March emanating from an agreement signed with Northern Island.
“The Federal Government was able to recover from the UK the sum of €4,214,017.66 connected to the family of James Ibori.
“Additional recoveries to the tune of $200m are being anticipated subject to the settlement of litigations of which the Ministry of Justice is attending to presently.”
He said the present administration was able to achieve the successes due to the political will, funding, legislations, institutional support, and Executive Orders of Buhari, adding that Nigeria had taken anti-corruption measures in tackling cybercrime, money laundering, oil bunkering and false assets declaration, among others.
