Trump’s government to repatriate N190bn loot traced to US

President Muhammadu Buhari's visit to the United States has yielded the finalisation of negotiations to repatriate more than $500 million (about 190 billion Naira) of Nigeria’s looted money traced to the host country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the attorney-general and justice minister, Abubakar Malami, confirmed this in Washington DC, adding that he and his US counterpart would be meeting on Tuesday, May 1, to finalise the agreement.

In the report, Malami explained that the technicalities involved were being taken care of by both officials of the Nigerian Governments and also from the US side.

"On the part of assets recovery, we have made considerable progress through this visit.

“There’s goodwill by the two presidents to have a road map for the repatriation of illicit funds and assets traced to the U.S. as proceeds of illicit transactions.

“This illicit funds and assets are to the tune of 500 million dollars and above for immediate repatriation.

“We are looking at the shortest practicable time for it to be repatriated.

“There is political commitment demonstrated by the two presidents.

“The over 500 million dollars is not all the recovery, it is only for the immediate repatriation while we continue with our efforts to recover more," Malami said.

NAN reports that Malami defended Nigeria’s human rights record, saying the Buhari’s administration is the first in the history of Nigeria to pay compensation for human rights violations.

He said in April, 2018, the federal government paid N135 million for the eight Apo traders who were found to have been victims of extra judicial killings by the Nigeria Police.

“Of the police officers indicted, two were sentenced to death. The payment of compensation was also as a result of the recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission and government did not appeal against it,” he said.

He noted that Trump approved of what Buhari’s administration is doing.

“Trump said Buhari is a great leader; he said he has a great respect for him; and he said Buhari has cut down on corruption,” Malami said.

 Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari approved the recruitment of 6,000 additional policemen as part of fresh measures to address the nation’s security challenges including the farmers/herdsmen clashes across the country.