The Nigerian government has refused to restore £4.2 million in Ibori money to Delta – Onochie

Lauretta Onochie, the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, said on Monday that the Federal Government has not returned to Delta State the £4.2 million collected from former Governor James Ibori.

The Federal Government announced on Tuesday that the £4.2 million looted by former Governor James Ibori and recently repatriated from the United Kingdom had been restored to Delta State.

Mr. Ahmed Idris, the Federation’s Accountant-General, made the claim at a hearing before the House of Representatives committee on the Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots Movable and Immovable Assets from 2002 to 2020.

The assertion contradicted the view of Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, who had previously indicated that the seized cash would not benefit the state.

Malami added that Delta state was not included in the agreements with the British government, which was a requirement for the money to be released.

The loot retrieved, he claims, will be utilized to carry out additional projects.

However, Onochie said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that Delta State did not receive the looted monies because Nigeria risks losing the potential to receive further looted funds if it violates the agreement it struck with the British government.

”We know what we heard, but we also know the facts,” she wrote. Let me remind you of something. Let’s take a minute to breathe in and out before we start “admonishing, praising, and decamping!”

”Was the Ibori loot returned to the Delta state government led by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa? No, it’s not true.

”Now, allow me to refresh our memories. The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Mallami, the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, and other relevant officials held a press conference, announcing when the money would be returned and the precise projects for which it had been approved. Clearly.

”When it was postponed, Nigerians were notified of the cause for the postponement by the Attorney General. Nigerians were also told when the loot landed. The terms under which the monies were returned are still in effect. The Delta State government was not compensated in any way.

”How can we receive the elephant amount that is still coming if we break the conditions for acquiring this chicken quantity?

”Those projects are also being monitored by the British High Commissioner.

”I’m aware of what we’ve all heard. However, we are also aware of the facts. President Muhammadu Buhari leads a transparent government. The Attorney General is a proponent of the open government philosophy. There is nothing hidden.

”If he decides to break a deal with Britain, Nigerians would be the first to know. I seriously doubt it. He is a guy of honor. Nigeria, may God bless you.”