President Muhammadu Buhari has urged world leaders to repatriate Nigeria’s identified stolen funds stashed outside the country without delay or preconditions.
Buhari was speaking in London yesterday at a summit tagged: “Tackling Corruption Together: A Conference for Civil Society, Business and Government Leaders”.
He called for the establishment of an international anti-corruption infrastructure that would monitor, trace and facilitate the return of such assets to their countries of origin.
He said he was aware of the challenges of fighting corruption in a manner consistent with respect for human rights and the rule of law, noting that as a nation that came out of prolonged military rule only 16 years ago, it would clearly take time to change the mentality and psychology of Nigeria’s law enforcement officers.
President Buhari said while he was committed to applying the rule of law and respecting human rights, he required Nigerian security agencies to do same.
He said his administration was seeking the support of many countries for the prosecution of certain individuals residing in their jurisdictions.
He assured that his government would provide the necessary legal documents and whatever mutual assistance required for the conviction of such individuals and facilitate the repatriation of Nigeria’s stolen assets.
He also stated that Nigeria was favourably disposed to forging strategic partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, organized private sector and international organizations to combat corruption.
The president also emphasized that apart from the looting of public funds, Nigeria was also confronted with illegal activities in the oil sector.
He called on the international community to designate oil theft as an international crime similar to the trade in “blood diamonds, as it constitutes an imminent and credible threat to the economy and stability of oil-producing countries like Nigeria. Buhari assured of Nigeria’s commitment to signing the Open Government Partnership initiatives with UK Prime Minister David Cameron at the summit tomorrow.
Buhari said he would not need an apology from Cameron for describing Nigeria as “fantastically corrupt”.
“No, I am not going to demand any apology from anybody. What I will be demanding is the return of assets. I’ve already mentioned how disgraceful one of Nigeria’s executives was. He had to dress like a woman to leave Britain and left behind his bank account and fixed assets which Britain is prepared to hand over to us. This is what I am asking for. What will I do with an apology? I need something tangible,” Buhari said.
Cameron was reported Tuesday as describing Nigeria and Afghanistan as fantastically corrupt on camera. However, Buhari while answering a question from a journalist admitted that Nigeria was corrupt. Also asked if he was embarrassed by Cameron’s remark, Buhari said: “No, no, not at all.” Asked if Nigeria is fantastically corrupt, he answered, yes.
