Contrary to media reports the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) recovered $105.9 million and not $967.5 billion.
Fagbemi in a statement issued Friday said the figure quoted by the writers was false and completely at variance from his remarks at the Asset Recovery Summit held on May 27 in Abuja and entitled, “Synergising Towards Effective Assets Recovery and Management.”
He said: “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to media reports claiming that the federal government has recovered $967.5 billion.
“What I said in my speech is that, “In 2024 alone, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reclaimed over N248 billion, $105 million, and 753 duplexes in its asset recovery efforts. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) also successfully recovered N29.685 billion in cash and $966,900 in assets. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has equally intensified its efforts in seizing assets linked to drug-related crimes, ensuring that illicit proceeds do not fuel further criminal activities.
“With regards to international recovery and repatriation of assets, it is pertinent to state that from 2017 to date, the Federal Ministry of Justice working in collaboration with its counterparts and international partners (the US, UK, Bailiwick of Jersey, Ireland, Switzerland), has facilitated the execution of various agreements, leading to the payment of fines, recovery and repatriation of assets in the sums of $763,734,000 and £6,472,610 GBP. Of these sums, a total of $102.88 million and £2, 062,000 GBP was recovered from 2024 to date.”
Fagbemi maintained that the media reports attributed the $967.5bn to his beggars belief and smacks of lack of due diligence.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains resolute in its pursuit of transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in management of recovered assets.
Asset recovery is a fundamental pillar in our strategy to address corruption, economic crimes, and illicit financial flows, which undermine our national development. It is quite a significant strategy, as it serves as a deterrent, deprives criminals of the benefit of their criminal actions and restores confidence in government.
I am pleased to note that Nigeria has earned global recognition in the area of asset recovery and no room should be given for mischief in these efforts.
These funds are being managed through internationally recognised frameworks, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles.
From 2017 to 2024, $659,900,000 and €6,472,610 of recovered funds were invested in conditional cash transfer and to partly fund critical infrastructure development under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund Projects (PIDF) namely – the Lagos Ibadan Expressway (LIE), 2nd Niger Bridge (2NB), and Abuja-Kano Road (AKR).
Fagbemi maintained that part of the repatriated assets has been earmarked for renovation of selected Primary Healthcare Centres in Bayelsa State, provision of renewable energy under the Rural Electrification Project and development of the Rule of Law and -Terrorism Project under the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law.