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The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to halt the disbursement of £4.2 million loot recovered from former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.
The United Kingdom on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria to return £4.2 million assets stolen by Ibori and his associates.
Subsequently, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), disclosed that the loot will be used to fund three legacy projects, including the second Niger bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway among others.
The resolution of the House was passed during plenary on Wednesday, after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by all the lawmakers from Delta State led by the minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu.
While moving the motion, the lawmakers said the sum of £4.2m being proceeds of crime recovered from Ibori “is being transferred to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria for appropriation without recourse to the Delta State Government and or Parliament.”
According to the lawmakers, “the said recovered looted funds belongs to the good people of Delta State and as such ought to be refunded to the coffers of the Delta State Government for developmental purposes.”
The lawmakers said if the the Federal Government is allowed to utilise the funds it will deprive Delta State of its legitimate resources to improve the economy of the state.
The lawmakers also said the total sum is £6.2 million, and not £4.2 million as being reported.
“Information available to Delta State indicated that the actual money is £6.2m and Federal Government should ensure that the total sum of £6.2m is credited not £4.2m as stated,” they said.
After a unanimous adoption of the motion, the house asked the Federal Government to stop “forthwith further appropriation and/or disbursement of recovered loot of £4.2 million pounds pending the final determination of the matter by the House.”