Malami Calls For More Support To Return Nigeria’s Stolen Wealth

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Abubakar Malami, SAN said the Federal Government of Nigeria is
working assiduously to narrow the gap between confiscated assets
abroad and the actual assets returned to the country.

Malami, therefore, called for International Cooperation in
facilitating Mutual Legal Assistance for tracing, freezing,
seizing, confiscating and return to Nigeria proceeds of corruption
stashed abroad.

Malami made the call while virtually delivering Nigeria’s
Country Statement at the 14th United Nations Crime Congress held in
kyoto from 7 to 12 March 2021.

This is contained in a statement by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu,
Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice issued
to newsmen in Abuja.

According to the Minister there was the need for the
international community to demonstrate political will in removing
all barriers and obstacles to the full implementation of the
provisions of United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)
particularly Article 51 on Asset Recovery and Return, including
cases that make use of settlements or other non-trial
resolutions.

Malami stressed further that “Our major objective should be to
narrow the gap between confiscated assets and actual assets
returned to their legitimate owners”.

He said Nigeria was hopeful that the adoption of the Political
Declaration on crime prevention and criminal justice will spur more
action and greater efforts in crime prevention and criminal
justice.

While maintaining Nigeria’s commitments to the 2030 Agenda,
Malami pointed out that Nigeria continues take measures to fulfill
her obligations under the United Nations Convention Against
Corruption (UNCAC) and United Nations Convention Against
Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) by improving domestic
conditions through comprehensive Strategic Action Plan.

“Nigeria condemns cybercrimes and terrorism in all
manifestations and calls on states to strengthen cooperation at all
levels to combat the threat posed by terrorism through enhancement
of timely information sharing, logistical support and
capacity-building activities to affected states, including
combating the linkage between terrorism and corruption, illicit
financial flows, cybercrime and trafficking in drugs,” he said.
Malami said Nigeria develops laws and policies to prevent crime and
ensure justice for victims, offenders and society.
“Nigeria is simultaneously addressing the socio-economic challenges
at the root of crimes. It is, therefore, pertinent to underscore
the importance of more international community investment in
stakeholders’ capacity building in order to improve crime
prevention and criminal justice efforts,” he said.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Abubakar Malami, SAN said the Federal Government of Nigeria is
working assiduously to narrow the gap between confiscated assets
abroad and the actual assets returned to the country.

Malami, therefore, called for International Cooperation in
facilitating Mutual Legal Assistance for tracing, freezing,
seizing, confiscating and return to Nigeria proceeds of corruption
stashed abroad.

Malami made the call while virtually delivering Nigeria’s
Country Statement at the 14th United Nations Crime Congress held in
kyoto from 7 to 12 March 2021.

This is contained in a statement by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu,
Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice issued
to newsmen in Abuja.

According to the Minister there was the need for the
international community to demonstrate political will in removing
all barriers and obstacles to the full implementation of the
provisions of United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)
particularly Article 51 on Asset Recovery and Return, including
cases that make use of settlements or other non-trial
resolutions.

Malami stressed further that “Our major objective should be to
narrow the gap between confiscated assets and actual assets
returned to their legitimate owners”.

He said Nigeria was hopeful that the adoption of the Political
Declaration on crime prevention and criminal justice will spur more
action and greater efforts in crime prevention and criminal
justice.

While maintaining Nigeria’s commitments to the 2030 Agenda,
Malami pointed out that Nigeria continues take measures to fulfill
her obligations under the United Nations Convention Against
Corruption (UNCAC) and United Nations Convention Against
Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) by improving domestic
conditions through comprehensive Strategic Action Plan.

“Nigeria condemns cybercrimes and terrorism in all
manifestations and calls on states to strengthen cooperation at all
levels to combat the threat posed by terrorism through enhancement
of timely information sharing, logistical support and
capacity-building activities to affected states, including
combating the linkage between terrorism and corruption, illicit
financial flows, cybercrime and trafficking in drugs,” he said.
Malami said Nigeria develops laws and policies to prevent crime and
ensure justice for victims, offenders and society.
“Nigeria is simultaneously addressing the socio-economic challenges
at the root of crimes. It is, therefore, pertinent to underscore
the importance of more international community investment in
stakeholders’ capacity building in order to improve crime
prevention and criminal justice efforts,” he said.