x

Abacha Loot Recovery: CISLAC wants FG to disclose infrastructural projects

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for a full disclosure of the infrastructural project reportedly funded by repatriated loots.

The centre, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, also lauded the Federal Government on its efforts to repatriate Nigeria stolen asset.

CISLAC Executive Director Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani, in the statement, demanded full disclosure of the contractual agreement deals to be funded by the recoveries.

He said that the call was paramount owning to a just announced landmark agreement among the Federal Government, the Island of the Jersey and U.S. for the repatriation of assets looted by the late Head of State Sani Abacha.

According to him, on behalf of Nigeria, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami is expected to sign the tripartite agreement with the Island of Jersey and the U.S. for repatriation of the looted assets.

Musa-Rafsanjani said that the disclosure of the contractual agreement and arrangement of the deals and projects to Nigerians was necessary to prevent re-looting and misuse of the recovered assets.

“We are awaiting full disclosure of the details of the deals such as the infrastructure projects for Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano road and the 2nd Niger Bridge, reported to be funded by these repatriated assets.

“We urge the government to comply with the 10 Global Forum for Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles as signed by the Government of Nigeria in 2017 in Washington.

“Particularly, the Transparency and Accountability principle; the Nigerian public, through independent and competent civil society, be given unrestricted access to the contractual arrangement agreement.

“The public has the right to know how these infrastructure projects were selected, which party will oversee the procurement, how the quality of the work will be verified and all other relevant details,’’ he said.

Musa-Rafsanjani said that the demand for full disclosure of the project was also in line with the GFAR principle five on beneficiaries.

According to him, the recovery of stolen assets should benefit the strictly the victims of the corrupt practice.

He also said that the principle of preclusion of benefits to offenders must prevent corrupt individuals from benefiting from the repatriation of the assets.

He advised that Nigerians, the media, competent civil society organisations and non-governmental organizations should be formally invited to independently observe and supervise the utilisation of the assets.

Musa-Rafsanjani, however, urged the government to continue to push for reforms that would lead to the establishment of accountable and transparent monitoring framework for recovered loots.

He said this was the only way domestic and international recoveries could be channelled towards the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals and other initiatives targeting the most vulnerable in the society.

Hot this week

2027: APC France Mobilises Diaspora Support for Tinubu, Shettima

The France chapter of the All Progressives Congress has...

A’Ibom clears N39bn inherited bank debts

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, UyoAkwa Ibom State government has said...

Unfulfilled Political Promises Must End, Wike Tells Bwari Residents

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has...

2027: I Have No Anointed Candidates, Says Kaduna Gov Uba Sani

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State says he has...

Olukoyede Urges Students to Shun Fraud, Embrace Integrity

By Francis WilfredThe Executive Chairman of the Economic...

Edo Ika Igbo Communities Back Anioma State Creation, Seek Inclusion in Proposed State

By Anne AzukaIka Igbo–speaking communities in Edo State have...

Media Rights Group Condemns Police Invitation of Activist Over FOI Request

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaA media advocacy organisation, Media...

2027: I Have No Anointed Candidates, Says Kaduna Governor Uba Sani

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani says he has no...

Group Petitions Tinubu Over Alleged Handling of Abducted Girls in Borno, Yobe

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaA civil society group, the...

Bayelsa APC Elects Warman Ogoriba as State Chairman

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has...

TCN Begins Maintenance at Fakun 330/132/33kV Substation, Power Supply Affected

By Jabiru HassanThe Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)...

NCDMB Signs Management Deal with Radisson for 204-Room Hotel in Yenagoa

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has...

INC Election Crisis: Disqualified Aspirants Seek Diri’s Intervention

Tension is mounting ahead of the Ijaw National Congress...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img