Buhari's anti-graft crusade facilitated Abacha loot return, says Onyeama

• Published date: 03 February 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

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Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has said the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration was a key facilitator for the return of the Abacha loot and other stolen national assets.

Onyeama spoke during the 22nd edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard while presenting the achievements of the Foreign Ministry in the past seven years yesterday in Abuja.

The minister noted that the global community sees Nigeria as a country led by a leader that has impeccable integrity locally and internationally.

'Nigeria was able to leverage Mr. President's anti-corruption stance to start to repatriate a lot of loot that was stolen out of this country and in a huge amount; about 2 billion in record pound sterling of Nigeria's looted assets starched in foreign countries, and we started to get these back.

'Again, I would say thanks to clearly one very robust diplomacy and engagement by this country and with Mr. President's engagement with various countries.

'Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission, in 2020, was a platform that was used to sign a tripartite agreement between the U.S, the Daily Week of Jersey and Nigeria to have some assets, $380,460,239 stolen funds of Nigeria repatriated to Nigeria.

'And again, we saw ongoing engagements facilitating the landmark tripartite agreement between Nigeria and, this time, Switzerland and the World Bank which repatriated $322 million called the Abacha loot, under a legal framework, returned to Nigeria.

'We have also succeeded with the United Kingdom (UK), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also getting funds coming back. All of these have been in the back of Mr. President's anti-corruption fight,' Onyeama said.

The minister said Nigeria has also been able to get positive recognition in the international and multilateral fora because of the President's anti-corruption personality, which he is renowned for across the world.

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He noted that President Buhari's anti-corruption stance and the reputation the world knows for have made him a brand for Nigeria.

'Mr. President was very key in Nigeria, becoming a member of the Open Government Partnership. This comprises government leaders and civil society advocates. It promotes transparent...