UPDATED: ‘FG Allegedly Schemes Delta Out As UK Sets To Return Ibori’s $9.6m Loot To Nigeria’

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation have allegedly sidelined the Delta state Government in the process by the United Kingdom to return the $9.6m allegedly looted by former Delta State governor, James Ibori, to Nigeria. 

The group, Delta State Civil Society Roundtable on Grand Corruption ( DCSRGC), alleged that the federal government through the Attorney General’s office had made three proposals to the UK on how the money would be utilise without mentioning how it would benefit the people of Delta state.

In a statement on Monday, the Chairman of Delta State Civil Society Roundtable on Grand Corruption, Pastor Innocent Adjenughure, said that it would be unacceptable for the federal government to sideline Delta State Government in the recovery of the said fund since it was stolen from its coffers.

Adjenughure, who also spoke on behalf of the Niger Delta Study Group on Extractive Sector (NIDESGES), said, “Information reaching us at is that the UK Government is in the process of returning $9.6m of Ibori money to Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, the FG is not sharing this information with Delta State Government on how to use the money.

“We are happy to work with the Delta State Government to set up a framework to convince the UK Government to use the money for sustainable development projects in Delta State.

“The FG has submitted 3 projects proposal to UK Government which will not benefit Delta State people and without the knowledge of Delta State who are the beneficial owners of the said money. We will vehemently resist this injustice as the money belongs to Delta State.

“We urge Delta State Government to consult and collaborate with the Federal Government of Nigeria to set up a transparent and accountable framework for the utilization of all recoverable Stolen assets from UK and other jurisdictions.

“DCSRGC is calling on both UK and Nigeria Government to be transparent on the transfer of Ibori assets to Nigeria. We urge the UK Government to honour their International commitment on the Global Forum on Asset Recovery(GFAR) Principles and the MOU signed with Nigerian Government on Asset Recovery.

“We call on the Attorney General of Federal Government to invite the Delta State Government to discuss how to use the Ibori assets from UK Government immediately.

“The said Ibori looted assets can and should be used for Social Investment Program as part of Nigeria and UK support for Sustainable Development Goal 16.4 to help the poor of the poorest in Delta State who are the true beneficial owners of the money”.