Government of the United Kingdom (UK) will in two weeks time return to Nigeria the sum of £4.2 million recovered from James Ibori, a former Governor of Delta State.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).
According to Malami, the money would be used for the construction of the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano road, and Lagos-Ibadan Express road.
This is coming as the UK government and the Nigerian government on Tuesday signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the repatriation of the money.
Addressing journalists at the signing event, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said the money was recovered from friends and family members of the former governor.
She lamented that many Nigerians were in the habit of siphoning money from the country to the UK, saying that has also affected the level of trust between the two countries.
Laing, however, warned that the UK will no longer be used as a destination for looters to siphon proceeds of crimes.
TNG reports the MoU was signed at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Justice.
Laing, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, stressed ill-gotten money is not welcome in the UK.
“The return of these assets to Nigeria has been subject to a number of hard fought legal challenges by third parties which were defeated in the UK courts.
“We will ensure the full weight of law enforcement to crack down those who use, move or hide their proceed of crime in the UK,” Laing said.
Recall that in February 2012, Ibori pleaded guilty in a UK court to money laundering, conspiracy to defraud and forgery and was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Some of his associates and family members also received sentences for similar offences.
The Commissioner said that transparent asset recovery is priority for both UK and Nigeria governments.
“It is vital that this agreement makes strong provision for transparency, monitoring and accountability.
“It is a guiding principle of both UK and Nigerian governments that stolen assets should be used for projects that benefit Nigeria’s poor”, she said.
Meanwhile, Malami also stated that the federal government is committed to ensuring the transparent management of all recovered assets.
“The assets returned will support and assist in expediting the construction of three major infrastructure projects across Nigeria.
“The projects are the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Abuja – Kano road and the second Niger Bridge that are being executed under the supervision of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.
“The project will boost economic growth and help alleviate poverty by connecting people and supply chains from the East to the West and to the Northern part of Nigeria”.
Also speaking, Mr Dayo Apata, SAN, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, while welcoming the guests said the ministry has fully assumed its leadership role in its constitutional duty in the administration of Justice in Nigeria.
“It has led to the formulation of National Strategies/Action Plan for combating corruption.
“Vigorous pursuing repatriation of recovered looted funds/assets in the face of daunting challenges.
“Drafting of Bills to stifle corrupt practices and to bring about and efficient and beneficial management of the proceeds of crime amongst others”.
