By Ismail Auwal
An anti-corruption organisation, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), has alleged that Nigeria’s 800 stolen illicit assets and funds worth over $400 million are kept in the United Arab Emirates.
Thirteen law enforcement officials own 216 of the stolen assets and funds, while 584 belong to public officials, according to HEDA.
The group disclosed this on Tuesday at a conference held in Abuja, in corroboration with other foreign anti-corruption experts.
HEDA connected more than half of the $400 million to Nigerian public officeholders.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Council Against Corruption, PACAC, Sadiq Raddah noted that the Nigerian government was concerned about illicit financial flow.
He said, “Politically exposed persons are not just politicians but also their families while enablers of illicit financial flow include dealers in precious minerals, professionals who enhance and sustain illicit financial flows.”
The conference recommended that Nigeria should review its international obligations like the UN Conventions on Corruption which has five focal points, including international cooperation, technical assistance, asset recovery, and the Mutual Legal Assistance.
