Nigeria and the United States, on Thursday, signed an agreement to repatriate about $954,807.40 which formed part of looted assets recovered from the former Governor of Bayelsa State – late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, signed on beheld of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for Nigeria, while the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard signed for her country.
Speaking during the event held at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Mrs. Jedy-Agba said President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the repatriated funds be deployed to the improvement of health facilities in Bayelsa State.
She said the $954,807.40 was derived from property and investment funds in Maryland and Massachusetts in the US, in which Alamieyeseigha deployed some of the funds he looted while in office as governor.
“You may recall that this asset return arose from the forfeiture and recovery of approximately $1million USD linked to the corrupt practices of former Bayelsa State Governor, D.S.P Alamieyeseigha.
“The United States Government, in collaboration with the Federal Republic of Nigeria initiated and completed forfeiture proceedings against certain real property and investment funds located in Maryland and Massachusetts against the former governor, which resulted in the net forfeiture to the Government of the United States of America totaling the sum of $954,807.40.
“Following the court order, the FRN and the USA have negotiated and finalized the terms of the asset return agreement.
“It is worthy to note that in line with the terms of this agreement, Mr. President has already approved the expected sum to be utilized for implementation of a health center project for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa State and to be monitored by the civil society organizations and the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Justice,” Mrs. Jedy-Agba said.
The US Ambassador noted that the agreement signing event was the conclusion of a legal process that was launched over 15 years ago to recover some assets unlawfully acquired by Alamieyeseigha while he served from 1999 until he was impeached in 2005.
She said the recovery was a result of the case the US brought a case against Alamieyeseigha, through the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery, Initiative, which is aimed at combating money laundering and corruption.
The Ambassador assured that her country will continue to do its part to deny safe haven to corrupt actors and the assets they have illicitly acquired, whether from here in Nigeria or other parts of the world.
She further assured that returning more of such looted assets to Nigeria and holding corrupt officials accountable will remain among the US Embassy’s highest priorities.
Bayelsa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, who represented Governor Douye Diri, said the governor will ensure that the funds are applied for the purpose for which it is meant.
Dambo thanked the US and Nigerian governments for their efforts in ensuring the repatriation of the looted funds.