The federal government and the United States on Thursday in Abuja signed an agreement on the repatriation of $954,807.40 looted assets recovered from former governor of Bayelsa, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who was represented by Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry said the agreement was in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war.
He said that the president had already approved the expected sum to be utilised for implementation of a health center project for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa.
He noted that the project was to be monitored by the Civil Society Organisations and the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The minister urged the government of the United States of America to continue to demonstrate the usual cooperation and understanding, in other pending cases, so that the agreements in relation thereto could be concluded as soon as possible.
“This will ensure that these funds are repatriated to Nigeria in earnest.
“I wish to state that Nigeria is in dire need of these refunds to support the implementation of more projects for the benefit of Nigeria and its citizens.”
He, therefore, expressed his gratitude to the efforts of the government of the U.S. in ensuring that looted funds were returned to Nigeria not only in that case but in other pending cases.
In her response, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Leonard, assured of her country’s commitment in collaborating with the federal government in the fight against corruption.
The meeting also had the Attorney General of Bayelsa, Mr Bilya Dambe, SAN, in attendance.
Source: NAN
