The outgoing Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) said on Tuesday, that the ministry during his tenure recovered a total sum of N59.16 billion and $779.495 million across board.
The minister who spoke at the valedictory session and handover ceremony in Abuja, said during his tenure, Asset Recovery and Management Unit, was established to coordinate relevant stakeholders to put in place policies and mechanisms for effective and efficient assets recovery and management in the country.
According to him: “The AGF was granted mandate pursuant to the directive of Council, vide approval in EC (2017) 232 on 1st November 2017 to sign on behalf of the federal government, a Tripartite Agreement with the Swiss Federal Council and World Bank for the repatriation of $321m Abacha loot.
“During the maiden Global Forum on Asset Recovery in Washington DC, the USA in December 2017, the AGF signed the said agreement. The funds have since been received by the government and currently deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
He stated further that, “The commercial bank in the UK was recently ordered a payout of the sum of over $73m, with interest to the Nigerian government being part of the proceeds from the sale of OPL 245 by Malabu Oil and Gas Company to ENI/SHELL. The said sum has also been received and deposited with the Central Bank.
ALSO READ: Wike: Coalition exonerates Nigerian Army, GOC of any complicity in oil bunkering allegation
“The office of the Attorney General of the Federation has recovered the sums of N59, 163, 029, 949. 46 and $385, 495, 900.00 locally.
“The total sums recovered by the Ministry during the reporting period are $779, 495, 900. 00 and N59, 163, 029, 949. 46.”
Malami, who said the ministry during the period of review developed a constructive protocol for collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, added that there was increased international cooperation and collaboration with countries such as the UK, USA, Switzerland, France, Italy, among other nations.
Malami, in the occasion also inaugurated the board of parastatals under the Ministry of Justice, except that of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which is still awaiting the confirmation of the National Assembly.
and then