…Says Justice Ministry recovered over $18.5bn looted funds last fiscal year
The National Assembly has reportedly commended the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN for his judicious use of finances and his creativity in sourcing direct revenue which ensured he achieved so much inspite of the meagre resources allocated to his Ministry in 2016 year’s budget.
A press statement emanating from Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the (AGF) Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice revealed that the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters gave the AGF a pat on the back when it visited the Federal Ministry of Justice last Thursday as part of its oversight function.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator David Umaru advised other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to take a cue from the AGF by exhibiting prudence in the management of resources allocated it and to device creative means of generating funds for optimal benefit of the nation.
He also pledged the Committee’s willingness to ensure adequate budget allocation to the Justice Ministry in this year’s fiscal allocation to enable it build on the good work it has started and to surpass its 2016 performance.
On the entourage that visited the Minister besides the Committee Chairman, Senator David Umaru includes Senators Godswill Akpabio, Adamu Abdullahi, James Manager, Babajide Omoworare, Joshua Lidani and Chukwuka Utazi.
Comrade Isah revealed that earlier in his remark, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN affirmed that his Ministry was able to recover some stolen funds from suspected looters amounting to over N18.5 billion in total sum.
The Minister gave a breakdown of the recovery to include N15 billion and $10.5 million, assuring that the process will be pursued more vigorously this year, 2017 as part of its fight against corruption.
“We have made progress in the recovery of looted funds. Last year, over N15 billion and $10.5 million have so far been recovered”, the Minister affirmed.
Malami also affirmed that the Federal Ministry of Justice, as the nation’s primary institution for administration of justice, will remain committed to the promotion and defense of constitutional values and principles in the governance of the nation.
He expressed confidence that the Senate will continue to give their supports to the Ministry to further facilitate national progress in the sector during its tenure, stressing further that the Justice Ministry by virtue of its mandate, today stands in vantage position to articulate and implement the present administration’s broad policy objectives in four major priority areas.
He listed the key priority areas include: the Anti-Corruption Campaign, the Recovery of Stolen National Assets, the Rule of Law component of the Anti- Terrorism War and the institutionalization of Law and Order in all aspects of national life.
Malami reiterated that, ‘’The Ministry therefore stands today as the prime driver of this administration’s covenant with the Nigeria people and it is my hope that it will attract the requisite level of resources to match these enlarged responsibilities under the present dispensation’’.
He explained further that the anti-corruption campaign of the present administration has resulted in increasing collaboration between the Ministry and the anti-corruption agencies such as the ICPC and the EFCC, pursuant to the overriding powers of supervision of the administration of Criminal Justice system vested in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation by virtue of Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“We have equally made significant strides in implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 in order to progressively deal with existing challenges in the Criminal Justice system, including in the areas of terrorism and associated crimes.
Let me assure you that as we get into the new budget year, we shall follow-up on all legislative and administrative initiatives that will be required to consolidate on our current successes”, assuring that, in addition; the Justice Ministry have pursued initiatives designed to ensure it develop a holistic approach to the administration of justice in Nigeria.
According to the AGF, “in undertaking these measures, we continue to emphasize the importance of staff motivation and empowerment as matters of utmost priority, despite the reduced allocations in several areas including staff training. It is our expectation that the ‘Harmonization’ of Salaries of State Counsel, which was approved by Government in 2016, will be fully implemented from this year in order to enhance staff productivity and welfare and maintain the current harmonious industrial climate in the Ministry”, he explained.
In conclusion, Malami assured the Senate Committee of the existence of the requisite human capacity to address the Ministry’s responsibilities if adequate resources are provided for her services.
He said, “Let me assure you of the existence of the requisite human capacity to address all our responsibilities if adequate resources are provided for our services. The Ministry is blessed with a crop of dedicated staff who have continued to render service to her fatherland with passion and optimism despite the challenges of resources inadequacy.”
Also speaking, a member of the Committee, Senator Chukwuka Utazi his remarks, disclosed that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation is very important and critical to the Committee in the performance its duties.
Utazi, who doubles as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes also noted that Nigeria is not a member of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global coalition for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of international financial system and urged the AGF to see that Nigeria become a full-fledged member because it will help in its fight against corruption and the recovery of looted funds.
Leave a Reply