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£4.2 Million Ibori Loot: Accountant General Recants Saying ‘Money Still Being Awaited’, No Money Returned To Delta State

Published

5 years ago

May 27, 2021

The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris (Left) and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami appearing before the House of Reps Ad hoc Committee in Abuja on May 25, 2021.

The Office of the Accountant General
of the Federation has recanted his earlier pronouncement that the £4.2 million Ibori Loot has been paid into Delta state account.

In fact, in a statement, the Accountant General of the Federation, Idris Ahmed said “The issue of the £4.2m Ibori Loot has not been properly resolved.”

Further, he declared that “For now, no money has been returned to Delta State.”

This was contrary to his pronouncements Tuesday during his presentation at the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee that recoveries are made by the Federal Government on behalf of states.

According to him, any recovery arising from looted funds from a particular state would go directly to the states.

“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.”

He added, “Some recoveries are for some state governments, specific state governments. I know there was a time recovery was made on behalf of Plateau State, there was one for Bayelsa, there is one for Delta,” he said when asked where the money was diverted to.

The full text of statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike, Director (Information, Press and Public Relations), OAGF recanting Ahmed’s earlier position reads : “RE: £4.2m IBORI LOOT: PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT”

“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.”