Anti-corruption watchdog, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has welcomed plans by the French government to repatriate $150million Abacha loot 6 from France to Nigeria, urging the participation of Civil Society Organisations working on asset recovery in the repatriation process.
Executive Director of ANEEJ and Vice President of UNCAC Coalition, the Rev David Ugolor said that it was heartwarming to note that France has joined the league of nations returning assets of kleptocrats stashed in vaults of western European countries, urging that the French government should insist on Civil Society participation in line with the provisions of United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the principles of the Global Forum on Asset recovery (GFAR).
Rev David Ugolor while expressing delight in the French government’s preparedness to immediately start discussions with the Nigerian government in order to allocate these 150 million US dollars to development projects benefiting the population, according to the priorities of the Nigerian government.
“We welcome the development and we are happy to know that the French government would be going into discussions with the Federal Government of Nigeria, obviously through the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on how the $150million Abacha 6 would be returned to Nigeria. The French and Federal Government of Nigeria should ensure the participation of Civil Society organisations working on issues of asset recovery.
“As rights holders for victims of corruption in Nigeria, it is our responsibility to ensure that the concerns of citizens on how the asset should be used is taken on board the discussions, particularly as it relates to what the money would use for and how best it will be delivered to the victims of corruption.” Ugolor stated.
ANEEJ boss said CSOs would monitor the process of the return of the asset and ensure that it is deployed to areas of critical needs of poor Nigerians who are the ultimate victims of corruption.
