From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) is pushing for transparency and accountability in the management of recovered assets, emphasizing that they must benefit Nigerians.
Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, made this call at a two-day town hall meeting focused on the use of recovered funds and presentation of accountability reports.
Ugolor highlighted the recovery of substantial public resources lost to corruption, including $954,807.40 linked to former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, and $52.88 million associated with former Petroleum Resources Minister Dieziani Alison-Madueke.
He commended the Nigerian government, EFCC, ICPC, and the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in asset recovery and transparency.
The town hall meeting discussed two key assets: the Galactica asset linked to Alison-Madueke and the Bayelsa asset associated with Alamieyeseigha. ANEEJ conducted a baseline survey to evaluate the impact of the restitution, assessing health centers in Bayelsa State. The survey revealed the current condition of these health centers, including infrastructure and areas in need of improvement.
Ugolor emphasized the importance of transparent use of recovered assets, stating that “crime must not pay” and that public trust can motivate agencies like EFCC and ICPC to continue their work. He expressed gratitude to the UK government for its ongoing support.
The event demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and accountability, highlighting the vital role of citizen participation in ensuring recovered assets serve the common good.
In his remarks, Dr. Matthew AYibakuro, Governance Adviser of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), praised ANEEJ for its leadership in improving transparency and accountability in asset recovery.
He emphasized the need for collective action among law enforcement, justice institutions, civil society, oversight bodies, and government partners to use recovered assets effectively for the benefit of Nigerians.
Ugolor and Dr. AYibakuro, along with other stakeholders, called for stronger collaboration and dedication to ensure transparent use of recovered assets that benefit the Nigerian people.
The event offered a platform for stakeholders to engage, share insights, and propose strategies to improve transparency and accountability in asset recovery.
The event demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and accountability, highlighting the vital role of citizen participation in making sure recovered assets serve the common good.
The town hall also presented findings from ANEEJ’s monitoring and baseline assessments on key initiatives, including the use of recovered funds linked to Alamieyeseigha for Primary Health Centers across eight LGAs, and the implementation of Nigeria’s Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.
