A group of concerned Deltans, under the auspices of the Delta State Civil Society Roundtable on Grand Corruption, DCSRGC, has raised an alarm over the perceived intentions of the Nigerian government to deliberately, withhold some proceeds of crime fraudulently acquired by a former governor of the state.
DCSRGC, in its quest to ensure that corruption, among elected representatives in Delta State, is appreciably tackled, has revealed in a statement signed by its convener and chairman, Innocent Adjenughure, that the UK Government is in the process of returning £9.6m of Ibori money to Nigeria but states that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government has refused to make the refund public.
“It is unfortunate that the Federal Government of Nigeria is not sharing this information with Delta State Government on how to use the money,” Mr. Adjenughure said in the statement.
He revealed, in the statement, that “DCSRGC will be 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”.
According to the group’s Chairman, “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”, Adjenughure stated.
Speaking on transparency and fairness on the part of the UK Government, he urged 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.
“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”, he said.
“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”, he advised.
