Nigeria is expected to “any moment from now” receive the return of £4.2m ($5.8m) – about N2.383b seized from associates of convicted fomer Delta State Governor, James Ibori.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said the country is working tirelessly to ensure the return of looted assets kept outside the country’s territorial boundaries.
In a statement on Monday, Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, a special assistant on media and public relations at the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said citizens will be informed once the Ibori loot are received and confirmed.
The media aide had quoted Mr Malami to have said “to this end, any moment from now, Nigeria expects the return of £4.2m seized from the associates of convicted fomer Governor of Delta State, James Ibori.
“Sometimes when a country transfers funds, it may take a little bit time more than expected due to some documentations.”
He said the Nigerian Government is in touch with the government of the United Kingdom on the matter.
“Documentations with the banks in different countries often take longer than anticipated. We anticipated two weeks but we are not in control of the banks,” the statement said.
He maintained that the Federal Government is working assiduously to make sure that the transfer goes through successfully.
“There is neither complacency nor any delay as efforts are being made to ensure successful transfer of the looted funds,” he said.
By Abel Ejikeme