The widely reported understanding by the federal government to handover
the £4.2m Ibori Loot to Delta state government may not happen after all, metrobusinessnews.com can authoritatively report.
Ahmed Idris, Accountant General of the Federation, who allegedly gave the hint on Tuesday has denied, claiming that he was being misquoted.
Earlier today the reported understanding by the federal government to transfer the money has jolted some federal government officials connected with either the office of AGF or with the the critical projects earlier said that the money would be deployed to.
It was reported today that Idris had on Tuesday said the funds had been transferred to the Delta State Government when he appeared before the House of Representatives’ Ad hoc Committee on Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots Movable and Immovable Assets from 2002 to 2020 by Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria for Effective Efficient Management and Utilization.
The Accountant-General was said to have told the Committee that such funds looted from the treasury of a state are always returned to the state when repatriated.
The Accountant-General told the Committee such funds looted from the treasury of a state are always returned to the state when repatriated.
“It was paid to Delta State,” he said when asked where the money was diverted to.“ So such recoveries go specifically to those states. Honourable Chairman, any recovery arising from the looted funds from a particular state goes to the state. The state governors will not even allow this to fly.”
The Accountant-General told the Committee such funds looted from the treasury of a state are always returned to the state when repatriated.
“It was paid to Delta State,” he said when asked where the money was diverted to.“ So such recoveries go specifically to those states. Honourable Chairman, any recovery arising from the looted funds from a particular state goes to the state. The state governors will not even allow this to fly.”
However, in a twist of events, a press release from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and signed by Henshaw Ogubike,
Director (Information, Press and Public Relations said Ahmed has to put the records straight that the issues surrounding the money has not been resolved and that even the money has not be received yet.
Part of the release states: “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) wishes to put the records straight regarding the widely circulated media report on the £4.2m Ibori Loot.
The issue of the £4.2m Ibori Loot has not been properly resolved. The money is still being awaited, after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken. For now, no money has been returned to Delta State.
This explanation is without prejudice to the proceedings at the public hearing that took place yesterday during which the AGF was only making general comments about recoveries relating to State Governments.
This is the true position as regards the £4.2m Ibori Loot.“
Responding to the story earlier today on the reported release of the funds, a top government official who is remotely connected with the likely utilization of the funds said, “ We are surprised by the pronouncement of the accountant general.
The ministry of justice informed us in writing that the IBORI funds are for PIdF. The UK high commissioner made the announcement publicly.
We are also aware that Delta State is claiming it is their funds since it was alleged to have been stolen from Delta State.
We are still waiting and suddenly we are surprised by the announcement of the accountant general.“
Another top official told the platform that, he was sure the AGF would issue a release to that effect today and the report has rattled the Presidency and some parties connected with repatriation generally.
Speaking further he said, the Ibori loot as well as Abacha loot would be used for critical infrastructure.
“The agreement was to divide them equally to the three projects. Lagos ibadan, second Niger bridge, and abuja-kano road“, he added.
The Delta State Government on Wednesday confirmed that the recently repatriated £4.2m allegedly looted by former Governor James Ibori from the United Kingdom was yet to be remitted to the state coffers by the Federal Government as earlier reported.
