Ibori’s Prosecution: We’re Rightfully Taking Benefit Of Our Cooperation With U.K Govt – Malami

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said that the repatriation of £4.2million reportedly stolen from Delta state coffers by a former governor of the state, James Ibori, was a product of mutual assistance and back up given the British authorities while the prosecution of Ibori lasted in London.

He stated this during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding earlier executed by the U.K and Nigeria governments in 2016.

Malami explained that the MoU which culminated with the repatriation of the funds, was a glaring manifestation of the agelong national ties between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

His words: “Today being the 9th day of March 2021 we are at the threshold of another major milestone in our determined quest as a nation to attain full recovery of all looted assets, prevent abuse of recovered assets and also to ensure optimal utilization of such recovered assets for the benefit of our deserving citizens.

According to the Attorney General; “I wish to remark that today’s (Tuesday) ceremony and the recoveries attached thereto has again underscored the fact that international cooperation and mutual trust can yield great benefits for the citizenry in developing countries who are the direct victims of acts of corruption. Hence, the Governments of Nigeria and the United Kingdom have concluded negotiations for the return of £4.2million to Nigeria pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding earlier executed by the two governments in 2016.

“It is to be recalled that the Nigerian Government had all along provided the required mutual assistance and back up to the British authorities while the prosecution of James Ibori lasted in London and today, we are rightfully taking benefit of that cooperation. I cannot but observe that what we are witnessing today is a glaring manifestation of the agelong national ties between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

“I am confident that both the Nigerian and British governments remain committed to all affirmative actions to combat corruption/illicit financial flows, ensure that looters do not find comfort or save haven in our territories, and also to guarantee that the forfeited or recovered proceeds of corruption are deployed to the benefit of the masses.

“Hence, in consonance with the existing framework or model engaged in the management of previous recoveries, the Federal Executive Council under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the instant repatriated funds should be deployed towards the completion of the following legacy projects: the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja – Kano expressway and the Lagos – Ibadan expressway under the coordination of the Nigeria Social Investment Authority (NSIA) to ensure integrity of the process while a reputable Civil Society Organization has been engaged to monitor/supervise the expenditure of the recovered funds on the execution of these critical projects which are evenly spread across the country.

“We have established, as a government, a reputation of transparency and accountability of utilization of recovered assets as a nation. These assets will in no way be different in terms of application.

“I am highly elated and privileged to perform this assignment on behalf of Mr. President and Nigerians in general. I commend the sincerity of purpose of the British government as we look forward to similar assistance and cooperation in bringing to book all other persons and entities who at the moment are inequitably exploiting the system in UK to shield themselves from justice.

In drawing the curtains on my remarks, let me once again acknowledge and appreciate the unwavering and underlying support which Mr. President has continued to accord me and my dynamic team which has culminated in all the concluded and ongoing recoveries of our commonwealth for our common good”.