Govt moves to recover looted funds abroad

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, has said that the Federal Government is addressing the legal challenges which tied down looted funds in foreign countries. ,

Malami, also the Minister of Justice, said this at the ongoing annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt on Monday.

He said in his paper, “The Role of Law in Advancing the Change Agenda”, that the current law in the country did not provide the procedure for the recovery of looted funds.

“The executive has submitted a bill to the National Assembly on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

“The Federal Government is fighting corruption within the ambits of the law. The fight against corruption requires the support of all Nigerians.

“The Judiciary must ensure transparent use of its powers in the adjudication of cases brought before it,” he said.

Malami reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office when the country was facing enormous challenges and decided to tackle them on three pillars.

“They are fighting corruption, providing security for the masses and the commitment to improve the economy,” he said.

According to him, tackling corruption is key to the nation`s prosperity and the Federal Government is fighting it within the ambits of the law.

Malami noted that corruption had undermined the fight against terrorism.

He said that the war was aimed at preventing it, prosecuting offenders, recovery of looted funds and encouraging collaboration amongst states and non-state institutions.

He stated that the Federal Government had signed all major instruments to counter terrorism.

Malami also said that the multiplicity of judgments brought by the same parties at different courts did not encourage the people.

“As lawyers, we stand to benefit more from the instruments of change and the rule of law,” he said.