Deputy Executive Director at African Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Leo Atapku, says £60 million, which was looted from Delta State during the administration of James Ibori, will soon be returned to the Nigerian government.
Atapku disclosed this at a two-day workshop organised by ANEEJ for journalists and officials of civil society organisations in Benin, Edo State.
Ibori, who was governor of Delta State between 1999 and 2007, pleaded guilty at London’s Southwark Crown Court in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering. He received a 13-year jail sentence.
It is understood that the total value of the known proceeds of Ibori’s crimes came to 117 million pounds ($153 million).
According to Atakpu, the UK government and its Nigerian equivalent are working on modalities for the return of the money.
‘About £60 million Ibori loot is being expected from the UK, there is already discussion between the Nigerian government and the UK government on one hand, and the federal government and the Delta State government’, he said.
‘The federal government is to collect 30 percent of the repatriated funds. While the awaited Abacha loot, the $300 million expected from Ireland is agreed to be used for three legacy projects which are the second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and the Abuja-Kaduna Road.
Atakpu listed other looted funds being expected to include $300 million Sani Abacha fourth tranche of loot from the Irish government and another $900,000 allegedly looted by a former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
Source: Premium Times
Photo source: AIT Online
