FG Collaborating with Other Countries on Asset Recovery, Says Malami

Alexander Enumah

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has said Nigeria collaborates with various jurisdictions in its efforts to recover stolen assets stashed abroad.

Malami made this known at the ninth session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) holding in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.

The minister according to a statement by has media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, disclosed that Nigeria with Pakistan, State of Palestine, Peru, Saudi Arabia and Kenya, submitted a draft resolution entitled “Enhancing access to and the use of Beneficial Ownership Information to facilitate the identification, recovery and return of assets, “ to further highlight the importance of beneficial ownership transparency.

Malami said significant progress had been recorded in the efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria.

“We have continued to make significant progress in our efforts to prevent and combat corruption, block leakages and recover our stolen assets” Malami said.

Malami recalled that new laws and Acts had been enacted by Nigeria to better combat corruption in the country.

“In realisation that an effective Criminal Justice System is necessary for investigation and sanctioning corruption, Nigeria implementing the Justice Sector Reform Strategy covering issues such as International Cooperation Mechanisms, Mutual Legal Assistance and reform of the Criminal Justice System.

“We recently enacted a Mutual Legal Assistance Law in line with the recommendations from the UNCAC review, and also enacted the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Act to create a stand-alone Financial Intelligence Unit,” he said.