The Federal government is set to repatriate funds and properties valued at over $200 billion stashed away by former governors, ex-ministers and other public office holders in Dubia, United Arab Emirate, the nation is reporting.
According to the report, the government is particularly interested in the cash and mansion build by seven unnamed former governors, six former ministers, a fugitive presidential aide implicated in the $2.1 billion arms deal, ex-military chiefs and fonts of some public officers.
A Federal Government team, comprising the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu and crack detectives from the anti-graft agency, on Monday commenced the compilation intelligence note on the Politically exposed persons provided by UAE security agencies, the paper reports.
The EFCC officials arrived in Dubai on Saturday while Malami is expected to join them later on Tuesday.
The proposed seizure of the properties is sequel to the agreement signed by President Muhammadu Buhari with UAE authorities in January.
Buhari had signed a “Judicial Agreement on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth”.
“The Federal Government team has met with those from the UAE on intelligence sharing, the list of those on EFCC radar, the number of highly-placed Nigerians with fat accounts in UAE and those with choice properties in Marina (Dubai), Bur Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.
“Some of the former governors include one from the South-South, two from Northcentral, two from the Northeast, one from the Northwest, and one from the Southwest.
“A former governor had made botched attempts to transfer about $517million loot to Dominican Republic because UAE law is now strict,” a top government source stated.
“More than six ex-ministers and a former presidential aide, who is on the run over the $2.1billion arms deals, were said to have acquired choice mansions and malls in UAE. One of the former ministers, who was alleged to own two houses in Dubai, was said to have served as a front for a former First Lady.
“Another ex-minister had bought some malls through a few cronies in Dubai. The list of such agents is being screened.
“Certainly, the anti-graft agency has tightened the noose on these former public officers and there is no hiding place for them.
“The success of the collaboration between the Federal Government team and the UAE Government will determine when EFCC will release the concessions on some of these PEPs. Very soon, we will unveil these ex-political office holders.”
Via: The Nation
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