Crusade yields about $63.5b in 12 months, says Malami

Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

ATTORNEY-GENERAL of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) said on Tuesday that the anti-corruption efforts of the Federal Government yielded about $63.5 billion within a year.

The AGF said his ministry has saved the country about N2.1b and $800 milling within the same period from the successful handling of about 80 cases in the federal and state high courts as well as the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Malami, who gave details of what led to the yields, disclosed that the country was expecting $200 million from The Netherlands and Switzerland.

He spoke in Abuja while presenting the achievements of his ministry between May 29, 2019 and July 28, 2020, stating that the successes recorded within the period from the fight against corruption included the $62 billion recovered as arrears of taxes from oil companies; about $1 billion (from OPL 245 – Malabu); $311 million (from Abacha loot III) and $6.3 million (from Abacha loot IV).

He added that Nigeria, also within the period, made N685,784,757.09 from the “whistle blower recovery” (which has been paid into the Federal Government Asset Recovery Account) and N500 million (from the disposal of forfeited vessels, trucks and barges (which has also been paid into the  dedicated account).

Malami, who spoke about the many reforms brought about in the justice sector by his ministry and agencies under it, also identified some legislation and Bills facilitated within the period.

He urged the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to among others, aid the ongoing reform efforts in the justice administration sector through enhanced resource allocation.

Read Also: Malami and his unwavering anti-corruption posture

Urging the FEC to “encourage government at all levels to demonstrate the political will to implement the various justice sector reform legislation and regulations,” the minister said such disposition “will no doubt, promote justice delivery and the rule of law in the country.”

The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata (SAN) lauded the AGF’s contributions to the feat achieved by the ministry.

Apata noted that the ministry now ranks among the 10 largest revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government owing to its many asset recovery initiatives.