Nigeria: No going back on recovery of looted assets, says Mr Mohammed Adoke

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THERE is no going back in the Federal Government's drive to recover funds and assets looted by past public officers, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) said Thursday.


Justice Minister and AGF Bello Adoke with Chair EFCC, Farida Waziri and DG BPP,Emeka Ezeh during the International Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja

Also, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chair, Mrs. Farida Waziri said about $500million would be recovered from multi-national companies who violated the nation's laws.

Adoke and Mrs Waziri spoke at a ceremony to mark the 2010 International Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja.

Adoke pleaded with other nations to assist Nigeria in recovering its stolen wealth.

He lamented that some countries were not committed to the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) entered into with Nigeria .

Adoke said: "Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to seize the opportunity of this global celebration to reiterate our call for the diligent implementation of the Assets Recovery provisions of the UNCAC, as well as, other international anti-corruption instruments.

"We believe that these provisions, if diligently implemented by parties will go a long way in redressing the injustice associated with a system that allows a few corrupt persons to enjoy the proceeds of their crime to the detriment of the majority especially in developing countries.

"There is, therefore, urgent need to effectively implement these mechanisms with a view to ensuring the return of stolen assets to the victim-states.

"We are not unmindful of the fact that success in this endeavour largely depends on the willingness, cooperation and assistance of the requested states in the areas of mutual legal assistance (MLA), law enforcement cooperation, and technical assistance", the Minister said.

The EFCC chair said the anti-corruption frontier has recorded enhanced success in the last one year.

Mrs Waziri said: "This highest level of commitment explains why it is under his administration that the EFCC and indeed the nation have made the largest single recovery of over $1.5billion from just one convict.

"With the firm support of Mr. President, we are in the threshold of recovering over $500million from some multi-national companies that have violated the laws of our land. This is unprecedented.

The Nation

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