Anti-corruption war: FG says it is still expecting over N52bn James Ibori loot

- The federal government has alleged that a former governor, James Ibori, along with his associates and family members laundered funds abroad

- The minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed what the loot recovered from the former Delta state governor will be used for

- Malami gave details about circumstances surrounding negotiations for the repatriations of the funds

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The federation government has disclosed that it is trying to recover over N52bn (£100m) allegedly laundered by James Ibori, a former governor of Delta state and his associates.

The attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), made the statement on Tuesday, March 9, on Channels Television.

Malami, who is also the minister of justice said:

As it is we have succeeded in recovering £4.2m from the UK. We are still pursuing other assets even as it relates to the Ibori assets.

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“The quantum of the amount involved was within the region of over £100m (N2.2bn) and it is out of it that we have succeeded in recovering a fraction of £4.2m and we are still pursuing an additional sum within the region of £100m (N527bn) and that will be a function of conviction and subsequent recovery process.”

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However, the minister said the money would not be handed over to the Delta state government because the crime that led to the diversion of the funds was a federal one.

Malami explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with respect to the repatriation of the funds stipulates that the money be used used for federal projects.

Meanwhile, the plan by federal government to use the public funds looted by a former governor of Delta state, James Ibori, for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road, and the Lagos-Ibadan road has been rejected.

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Nigerian lawyers explain why Delta state can’t claim £4.2m looted by Ibori

The stern opposition came on Tuesday, March 9, from the state's commissioner for information, Ehiedu Aniagwu.

Aniagwu said the proposed use of the recovered loot (£4.2 million) by the government is much like an injustice to the government and people of Delta, Daily Trust reported.

Kess Ewubare is a senior political/current affairs correspondent at Legit.ng. He has both a BSc and a Master’s degree in mass communication. He has over 10 years of experience in working in several fields of mass communication including radio, TV, newspaper, and online. For Kess, journalism is more than a career, it is a beautiful way of life.

Source: Legit.ng