Britain promises to return any looted funds that finds its way into its banks to Nigeria

BRITAIN'S high commissioner to Nigeria Paul Arkwright has pledged that his home government will repatriate all stolen funds looted from the treasury and stashed away in UK banks back to the country.

 

With the ongoing investigation into corruption during the Goodluck Jonathan regime, several high profile ministers and government officials are believed to have stashed large sums of money in the UK. Already, former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been arrested by the National Crime Agency in London and is out on bail awaiting trial.

 

Earlier this week, it was revealed that former national security adviser Col Sambo Dasuki, who is currently at the centre of a $2.1bn arms scandal, used money he acquired illegally to purchase choice property in London and Dubai. Under international money laundering rules, which Britain is a signatory to, once stolen money enters the UK, the authorities have the right to confiscate it and arrest the suspects.

 

Mr Arkwright said: "What is of utmost concern to the British government is how the repatriated funds will be utilized. It is the hope of British government that the funds will be used on the execution of development projects.

 

He disclosed that the British government is mulling the idea of hosting an international summit on corruption which President Muhammadu Buhari will be invited to. Mr Awkright added that the summit is poised to deliberate on the disturbing spate of corruption in the corridor of power.

 

According to Mr Arkwright, for corruption to be rooted out in Nigeria, there was a compelling need for institutional change in all spheres of human endeavour. He further expressed optimism that with President Muhammad Buhari in the saddle of power, Nigeria is on the right track.

 

“British is committed to helping Nigeria increase its security, stability and prosperity. We would continue to provide capacity building, technical and investigative support to Nigeria to tackle corruption.

 

"We are working with President Buhari to ensure the success of the fight against corruption and British will continue to support the administration to ensure free corrupt society in Nigeria."

 

In addition, he also reaffirmed that the British government will redouble its support to train the Nigerian military to fight the Boko Haram insurgency. Mr Arkwright further revealed that the British government is also willing to support children in the northern eastern part of the country to pursue a qualitative academic career in the face of insurgency that had abysmally devastated the region.