Looted funds: Nigerian government recovers over N800billion, says lai mohammed
The Nigerian government said it has recovered over N800 billion in looted funds ,and also secured the conviction of over 1,400 persons, stressing that fight against corruption is as strong as ever, and with the records to back up this claim, .
Penpushing reports that, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made this known in a statement and also addressed the alleged corruption unearthed in agencies such as the anti-graft (EFCC) Niger Delta Development Commission,(NDDC), and the Nigeria Social Investment Trust Fund (NSITF).
”This administration’s fight against corruption is as strong as ever, and we have the records to back up this claim. This administration has recorded over 1,400 convictions, including high profile ones, and recovered funds in excess of N800 billion, not to talk of forfeiture of ill-gotten properties. This is no mean feat,” he added.
Penpushing further reports that, Mohammed while referring to the allegations, acknowledged the administration could have”avoided its present predicaments” but said the cases “are still under investigation”.
The Minister disclosed that many of the allegations “had already been in existence in previous administrations”, and described critics as “naysayers for misinterpreting the current administration fight against corruption.”
“What the revelations of the past few weeks, especially the investigation of the nation’s anti-corruption czar, (Ibrahim Magu) have shown is that this administration is not ready to sweep any allegation of corruption under the carpet; that there is no sacred cow in this fight, and that unlike the PDP – we will not cover up for anyone, including the members of our party and government, who face corruption allegations.
“Our fight against corruption is blind to party affiliation, position in government and any other consideration. If the nation’s anti-corruption Czar can be investigated, then the fight against corruption cannot be deemed to be fake, neither can it be said to be waning,” he said.
“Remember, the fight against corruption is not about loot recovery or convictions alone. We are also putting in place enduring institutional reforms that will deter acts of corruption,” the Minister added.
