From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has welcomed the repatriation of $52.88 million traced to the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison Madueke, through the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the United States Government.
ANEEJ Executive Director and Co-chair of the UNCAC Coalition, Rev David Ugolor stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna on Friday.
According to him, the development followed the execution of the Assets Return Agreement between the US government and Nigerian government in Abuja, Nigeria on Friday January 10, 2025.
“The recent announcement by the United States government regarding the restitution of $52.88 million linked to former Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke is a significant step toward combating corruption and kleptocracy in Africa.
“We commend the US government for this action, which reflects its commitment to the Atlanta Declaration and support for accountability and good governance on the continent.
“This restitution, identified as part of the US government’s ongoing efforts to recover stolen assets, underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing corruption.
“However, it is imperative that the details of the agreement governing this restitution be made public. We demand that both the US and Nigerian governments publish the terms and conditions of the agreement to ensure transparency and public accountability.” Ugolor stated.
Speaking further on the development, Ugolor, underscored the importance of ensuring that the recovered fund serve the intended purpose, which is to benefit victims of corruption, which are poor Nigerians, emphasizing the need to adhere to the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles in the management of the recovered fund with respect to transparency and accountability.
The ANEEJ helmsman further noted that “the integrity of this process hinges on adherence to the GFAR principles which emphasise the importance of transparency, collaboration, and the active involvement of civil society. The public deserves to know how these funds, stolen from the Nigerian people, will be utilized to benefit the communities that have suffered from the consequences of corruption.
“In this regard, we look forward to measures put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not only disbursed but also utilized transparency and accountability by the World Bank and IIJ as indicated by theAttorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who also mentioned that periodic reports will be forwarded to Nigeria and the US on the implementation of the projects,” Ugolor emphasised.
“It is important that civil society organisations are included in the framework for the monitoring of the utilization of the recovered loot in line with GFAR Principle 10, as a way of providing independent feedback on and oversight on the management of the fund. Clear communication and transparency in the restitution process will not only foster trust between the governments and the citizens but also serve as a deterrent to future acts of corruption.
“We therefore call on the US and Nigerian governments to take immediate action to publish the agreement details and ensure that the restitution serves its intended purpose: to restore justice and support development in Nigeria. Together, we can work toward a more accountable and transparent governance system that protects the rights and resources of all citizens, ”Ugolor Concluded.
