The Nigerian Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK for the return of $4.2m (Four point two million US dollars) confiscated from former governor of Delta State James Ibori from the United Kingdom.
The memorandum, signed in Abuja by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing is to ensure proper handling over and utilization of the assets.
Malami also said the Federal Government has given the go-ahead for the returned assets be used for the completion of the 2nd Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan expressway under the supervision of the Social investment Authority.
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British high Commissioner, Catriona Laing says efforts are being made to recover more of such funds as the $4.2m will be in the Nigerian Government’s coffers in a matter of weeks.
She said money obtained through theft or other forms of criminality is not welcome in the UK, and the British government will ensure that the monies are returned to where they belong.
James Ibori, Governor of Delta State from 1999 to 2007 was prosecuted at London’s Southwark Crown Court in 2012, on a 10-count charge of fraud and money-laundering and sentenced to 13 years imprisonment
Editor-Oloyede Oworu
