BEVERLY HILLS, October 15, (THEWILL) – The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has stated that the Federal Government has no exact figure of Nigeria’s looted funds abroad.
He made this known on Friday at a Media Roundtable on Open Government Partnership, OGP, in Abuja, stating that while getting to know the exact figure of looted funds might be difficult, Nigeria would continue to liaise with other countries on the repatriation of monies stashed abroad.
The minister explained that it was difficult to get the specific figure because of the nexus of complexity and dynamics of legislations, culture and policies of various countries regarding the repatriation of the funds.
He said: “It is impossible to give a clear figure against the background of complexity, differences of rules, approach and processes, at international communities.
“Also, investigations which are ongoing and keep changing, and there are also cases in court with different jurisdiction and dynamics, so it is impossible to arrive at an exact amount.”
Malami maintained that the Nigerian government was not resting on its oars and would continue to synergise with foreign countries to ensure the returned of the fund.
He also said government would enlist the support of foreign countries for the nation’s crusade against corruption.
The AGF added that “The government will also continue to pursue reform programmes on transparency and accountability in promoting asset disclosure, improved public procurement, promoting fiscal transparency and empowerment.
“We will work with the network of OGP implementing countries for technical support, especially in repatriating our stolen funds that are currently stashed away abroad.
“I invite the media to join hands with the government to communicate all of these reforms to Nigerians in a very simple language not just at the Federal and states levels but also in the local communities,” he said.
Story by Ugonnabo Ngwu.
