Strong indications have emerged that the United Kingdom Government is in the process of returning $9.6m of Ibori loot to Nigeria, but that the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is withholding this information from the Government of Delta State, whose people are the original owners of the money.
Rights Group, the Delta State Civil Society Coalition on Grand Corruption (DSCGC) raised the alarm at the weekend, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Pastor Innocent A. Adjenughure.
The organization noted that the Nigerian Government has submitted 3 projects proposal to UK Government, which it said, will not benefit Delta State people and that this was done without the knowledge of Delta State “who are the beneficial owners of the said money,” warning that they will vehemently resist this injustice as the money belongs to Delta State.
It called on both UK and Nigeria Government to be transparent on the transfer of Ibori assets to Nigeria, urging the UK Government to honor its International commitment on the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) Principles and the MOU signed with Nigerian Government on Asset Recovery.
Alltimepost.com spoke with the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, a founding partner of DSCGC, Rev David Ugulor on Saturday over this latest development on asset recovery.
Ugolor threw his weight behind the statement and called on the Buhari government to do the needful by being transparent about the issue and ensure that the money truly benefits the Delta people. Ugolor said it is a boiling issue right now that must be handled with care.
Below is full text of the statement released by DSCGC:
Information reaching us at Delta State Civil Society Coalition on Grand Corruption( DSCGC) 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.
DSCGC 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.
Signed
Pastor Innocent A. Adjenughure
Chairman, Delta State Civil Society Coalition on Grand Corruption.
Niger Delta Study Group on Extractive Sector (NIDESGES)
The J’s Innovation Plaza
Km 4, Refinery Road, Ekpan
P.O.Box 5111, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
innocent.adjenughure@gmail.com
+234 8023411870
