The Federal Government and the United States signed an agreement on Thursday in Abuja to repatriate 954,807.40 dollars in looted assets recovered from former Bayelsa Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who was represented by Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said the agreement was consistent with President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign.
Malami stated that the expected sum has already been approved by the president for the implementation of a health center project for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa.
He stated that the project will be overseen by Civil Society Organizations and the Federal Government via the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The minister urged the government of the United States of America to continue to demonstrate the usual cooperation and understanding, in other pending cases, so that the agreements in relation thereto can be concluded as soon as possible.
“This will ensure that these funds are repatriated to Nigeria in earnest.
“I wish to state that Nigeria is in dire need of these refunds to support the implementation of more projects for the benefit of Nigeria and its citizens”.
He, therefore, expressed his gratitude to the efforts of the government of the U.S. in ensuring that looted funds are returned to Nigeria not only in this case but in other pending cases.
In her response, The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Leonard assured of her country’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government in the fight against corruption.
The meeting also had the Attorney General of Bayelsa. Mr. Bilya Dambe, SAN in attendance.
