U.S. to return $954,807 Alamieyeseigha looted funds to FG

The Federal Government (FG) and the U.S., on Thursday, signed an agreement on the repatriation of $954,807.40 looted assets recovered from former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, said the agreement was in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war.

Malami said Buhari has already approved the expected sum to be utilised for implementation of a health centre project for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa State.

The AGF stated that the project would be monitored by the Civil Society Organisations and the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The minister, however, urged the government of the United States 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.

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“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,” Malami said.

He, therefore, expressed his gratitude to the efforts of the government of the U.S. in ensuring that looted funds are returned to Nigeria.

Speaking, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, assured of her country’s commitment in collaborating with the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.

The meeting also had the Attorney General of Bayelsa State, Bilya Dambe, SAN, in attendance.

The Star