Looters of Nigerian economy have returned over N18billion – FG

Looters of Nigerian economy have returned over N18billion to the coffers of the Federal Government since the coming of the Buhari administration. The recovered monies comprise of N15billion and $10.5million.

The claim was made Thursday in Abuja by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami when the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters visited

the ministry on its oversight function to appraise the 2016 budget performance of the ministry.

Addressing the visiting legislators, he said, “Let me put it on record that the Federal Ministry of Justice has equally significantly recorded success in the recovery drive as it relates to the looted funds.

“In that regard and direction, over N15bn has been recovered by the ministry and $10.5m was equally recovered in that direction.”

He enumerated the critical roles of his Ministry to include, “The anti-corruption campaign, the recovery of stolen national assets, the rule of law component of the anti-terrorism war and the institutionalisation of law and order in all aspects of national life.”

Offering reasons for Nigeria’s non-membership of the Financial Action Task Force, Malami explained that it will take the collaboration of both the executive and the legislature to scale all the hurdles.

“Among some of the demands required to become a member are the passing of the Money Laundering Act, Proceeds of Crime Act and Autonomy of the Financial Task Force.

“All these bills are still pending before the legislature and have not been passed, so we need to work together to get Nigeria registered,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. David Umaru (APC-Niger) said the 2016 budget was fraught with challenges but noted that the ministry and its parastatals was able to make judicious use of it.

Under Malami, the anti-corruption war which is central to the promises of the ruling APC government has received plenty of knocks for style of prosecution of cases and respect for the rule of law. Most prominent of these is the on-going trials former National Security Adviser (NSA), Dasuki, and two Supreme Court justices, Ademola and Ngwuli.

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