TheNewsGuru

Tag: Repatriation

  • Obaseki reacts to Oba of Benin’s directives asking FG to sideline him in repatriating stolen Edo artefacts

    Obaseki reacts to Oba of Benin’s directives asking FG to sideline him in repatriating stolen Edo artefacts

    The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has ordered that no one, whether in government or acting independently should engage in “disrespectful exchanges” with the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, over stolen artefacts.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie.

    Obaseki was reacting to a statement issued by the Oba of Benin asking the Federal Government to temporarily take custody of 1,130 stolen Benin artefacts that are about to be repatriated from Europe.

    The monarch had earlier said, following a statement issued by the Edo State Government which revealed that a “transformational” museum would be built in Benin to house the artefacts upon their return, the rightful destination of the artefacts should be the Benin Royal Museum.

    Edo government in the statement issued on Monday allayed fears of a conflict between the state government and the Oba of Benin, adding that Governor Obaseki will maintain his immense respect for the monarch.

    “The attention of the Edo State Government (EDSG) has been drawn to the widely publicised media statement issued by the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

    “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has displayed and will continue to display immense respect for our traditional institutions and therefore will continue to make effort to secure a private audience with His Royal Majesty to discuss his concerns.

    “The Governor has consequently ordered that on no account should anyone, whether in government or acting independently, engage in disrespectful exchanges and/or altercation with our revered Royal Majesty and the Benin Royal Palace,” the statement read in part.

    The Edo State government added that its earlier statement appears to have created the impression that there is a major conflict between its interests and His Royal Majesty with regards to the laudable national milestone of having our highly valued artefacts returned home to Nigeria.

    “The Government of Edo State and the Governor have always acted transparently and in consonance with existing Federal and State laws in all matters relating to the proposed return of the artefacts and monuments.

    “The actions of the government thus far on this issue have been driven by selfless, patriotic considerations and in the best interest of Edo State and Edo people,” the statement added.

    Governor Obaseki also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed and other officials of the federal government “for their patriotic and tireless efforts that have brought us to the verge of this eagerly anticipated achievement which has remained elusive for over a century.”

  • Repatriation of $311m Abacha loot, sign of foreign trust in Nigeria – Presidency

    Repatriation of $311m Abacha loot, sign of foreign trust in Nigeria – Presidency

    The Presidency has described the recent repatriation of $311million to Nigeria by the government of the United States of America (USA) as a sign of growing respect for Nigeria and its government.

    It noted that the fund, just like those earlier repatriated from countries such as the United Kingdom (UK) and Switzerland, had been earmarked for specific critical infrastructural projects in different parts of the country.

    In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency said unlike during the period of previous administrations, when foreign countries lacked the courage to return such recovered stolen funds to the country, due to fears of lack of transparency and possibility of such funds being looted all over again, “repatriations are happening now because the Buhari administration has proved to be trustworthy.”

    “On May 4, some $311 million – stolen from the citizens of Nigeria during the Abacha regime – were safely returned to our country from the United States.

    “The latest return is a testament to the growing and deepening relationship between the government of Nigeria and the government of the United States.

    “Without the cooperation both from the UK Government, the US Executive branch and US Congress, we would not have achieved the return of these funds at all.

    “For years, many countries deemed successive Nigerian administrations as too corrupt, too venal and too likely to squander and re-steal the stolen monies – so they did not return the funds.

    “Today, US, UK and other jurisdictions have found the partnership with the nation of Nigeria they can finally trust.

    “The Buhari administration is committed to – and is enacting – total and zero tolerance to corruption in politics and public administration.

    “The days when government was seen and used by the political class as their personal ATM to empty the treasury are over. The time of better governance and clean hands in the affairs of state is here to stay”, the statement said.

    It also observed that the refunds that had so far been made from the various caches of the Abacha loot from different countries had been instrumental in fixing, to a large extent, the nation’s infrastructural deficits, adding that it had helped in the fight against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

    “These funds have already been allocated, and will be used in full, for vital and decades-overdue infrastructure development: The second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressways – creating tens of thousands of Nigerian construction jobs and local skills, which can then be useful in future projects.

    “Part of the funds will also be invested in the Mambilla Power Project which, when completed, will provide electricity to some three million homes – over 10 million citizens – in our country.

    “The receipt of these stolen monies – and the hundreds of millions more that have already been returned from the United Kingdom and Switzerland – are an opportunity for the development of our nation, made far harder for those decades the country was robbed of these funds.

    “Indeed, previous monies returned last year from Switzerland – some $320 million US dollars – are already being used for the government’s free school feeding scheme, a stipend for millions of disadvantaged citizens, and grain grants for those in severe food hardship.

  • MTN speaks on alleged illegal repatriation, fines by CBN

    MTN speaks on alleged illegal repatriation, fines by CBN

    MTN Nigeria on Thursday refuted the claims by the Central Bank of Nigeria that it illegally, in collusion with four Nigerian banks repatriated $8.1billion from its Nigerian operations to offshore investors.

    The CBN said the remittances between 2007 and 2015, in tranches of 2.63 billion dollars, 1.766 billion dollars and 348 million dollars were done in flagrant violation of the rule that says it can only be done with regular ‘Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs)’ issued by the apex bank.

    The CBN said MTN did the repatriation after illegally converting shareholders’ loan of $399, 594,146 to preference shares.

    As part of the sanctions, four banks, Stanbic IBTC Nigeria, Citibank Nigeria and Diamond Bank Plc, were fined by the CBN.

    Standard Chartered Bank would pay a fine of N2.47 billion, Stanbic IBTC, N1.88 billion, Citibank Nigeria, N1.26 billion and Diamond bank, N250 million.

    Mr Funso Aina, Public Relations Manager, Corporate Affairs/Corporate Relations MTN denied the claims by the CBN

    “MTN Nigeria received a letter on Aug 29 from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) alleging that Certificate of Capital Important (CCIs) issued in respect of the conversion of shareholders’ loans in MTN Nigeria to preference shares in 2007 had been improperly issued.

    `As a consequence they claim that historic dividends repatriated by MTN Nigeria between 2007 and 2015 amounting to $8.1 billion need to be refunded to the CBN.

    “MTN Nigeria strongly refutes these allegations and claims.

    “No dividends have been declared or paid by MTN Nigeria other than pursuant to CCIs issued by our bankers and with the approval of the CBN as required by law,” he said.

    Aina said that the issues surrounding the CCIs had already been the subject of a thorough enquiry by the Senate of Nigeria.

    He added that in September 2016 the Senate mandated the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to carry out a holistic investigation on compliance with the Foreign exchange (monitoring and miscellaneous) Act by MTN Nigeria & Others.

    He said that in its report issued in November 2017, the findings evidenced that MTN Nigeria did not collude to contravene the foreign exchange laws and there were no negative recommendations made against MTN Nigeria.

    “MTN Nigeria, as a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria, is committed to good governance and to abide by the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The re-emergence of these issues is regrettable as it damages investor confidence and, by extension, inhibits the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

    “We will engage with the relevant authorities and vigorously defend our position on this matter and provide further information when available.

    CBN’s spokesperson, Isaac Okorafor, said the apex bank has written MTN Nigeria demanding a refund of the $8.13 billion, repatriated.

    The Bank resolved to sanction the commercial banks following investigations in March 2018, which confirmed allegations of remittance of foreign exchange with irregular Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) issued on behalf of some offshore investors of MTN Nigeria.

  • UK confirms repatriating £70m to Nigeria, pledges to return more

    United Kingdom said it has repatriated £70 million stolen by an unnamed Nigerian citizen who was convicted in an Italian court.

    British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, who revealed this to reporters in Abuja on Monday, however, declined to disclose the identity of the person involved in the offence.

    He said, “There was an Italian court case with a particular person involved. A portion of the fund has been in the UK and that was the portion that was returned recently from the UK to Nigeria. So, it’s in that context that the £70 million was returned.”

    He said more funds would be repatriated, stressing that his country was working with the Federal Government to accelerate the legal process of returning the looted money.

    “The British government has no intention of keeping one kobo of Nigerian funds in the UK, it all must come back to Nigeria. Just as in Nigeria, the UK feels that the judicial process is important, and we have to go through those processes before the money can be returned,” he added.

    Arkwright stated that security, trade, investment and 2019 elections will top the discussion between the British Prime Minister, Theresa May and President Muhammadu Buhari during the UK PM state visit on Wednesday.

  • Buhari orders repatriation of Nigerians stranded in Russia

    Buhari orders repatriation of Nigerians stranded in Russia

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to commence the process of repatriating Nigerians who travelled to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and got stranded in the country after the competition.

    Recall that the soccer fans were stranded in Russia due to the activities of unscrupulous travel agents who cancelled their return tickets and abandoned them to their fate.

    In compliance with the President’s directive, the ministers have commenced moves to bring the Nigerians back.

    The directive, according to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, is in line with the current administration’s policy to ensure the welfare of Nigerians in every part of the world.

    The competition ended on Sunday with France lifting the trophy.

  • Buhari’s visit: U.S. to commence repatriation of over $500m looted funds to Nigeria

    Buhari’s visit: U.S. to commence repatriation of over $500m looted funds to Nigeria

    The visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to U.S. President Donald Trump has yielded the finalisation of negotiations to repatriate more than 500 million dollars (about 190 billion Naira) of Nigeria’s looted money traced to the U.S.

    Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malamin said he and the Attorney-General of the U.S. would be meeting on Tuesday to finalise the agreement.

    Malami explained that the technicalities involved were being taken care of by both officials of the Nigerian Governments and also from the U.S. side.

    He said: “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 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, 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.

  • FG identifies 2,778 Nigerians in detention camps in Libya, moves to repatriate 250 weekly

    The Federal Government says it has a record of 2,778 Nigerian migrants registered in “accessible” detention camps in Libya, ready for repatriation.

    The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by the Spokesperson Mr Tiwatope Elias-Fatiile on Tuesday, said the country’s embassy in Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify Nigerians for registration.

    The ministry stated that those registered were issued Emergency Travel Certificates.

    The ministry also explained that the embassy in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) repatriates 250 migrants weekly and had returned 3,000 of them so far.

    “From the 2,778 registered Nigerians who are still in detention camps, another set of 250 Nigerian migrants will be arriving on Tuesday Dec. 5, at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos at 7.00.p.m. to be received by NEMA officials.

    “The Embassy, in collaboration with the IOM repatriates 250 Nigerian migrants by flight to Lagos weekly – each flight can accommodate only 250 passengers.

    “The repatriation is a continuous exercise and the Embassy routinely issues the requisite travel documents to the migrants.

    “The Embassy will continue to engage the legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country.”

    The Ministry further said that the Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama had invited the Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, Mr Iliya Fachano, to Abuja for consultations.

    “He is in Abuja already and during the period of the consultations, arrangements have been made for him to address press conferences on the issue.

    “This would afford the Nigerian public the opportunity to hear from him directly.”

    The ministry, however, advised intending Nigerian travellers to “avoid Libya at this period, because of the dangers they may encounter in the process of their journey”.

    The ministry also urged citizens to reach the Nigerian Embassy in Libya for assistance through these emergency numbers: +218910144487, +218925099384 and +218917953365.

    “The contact email addresses for the embassy and the ministry are: nigeria@nigeriantripoli.org and help@foreignaffairs.gov.ng.

    It said that the embassy had received requests for intervention from some relations of the victims based in Nigeria through these contacts.

    While condemning the slave market in Libya, the ministry said it would engage the UN, African Union, European Union and other stakeholders to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

    “It violates the fundamental human rights of the victims and it is unacceptable to the civilised world.”

     

    NAN

  • Corruption: UK already investigating Diezani, no need for repatriation – FG

    Sequel to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke’s request for repatriation to the country for proper prosecution of allegations of corruption leveled against her by the Federal Government, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Wednesday said there was no need granting such request.

    Malami, in an interview he granted State House correspondents in Hausa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the move was not necessary since the United Kingdom was already investigating the former minister.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the embattled former petroleum minister had urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the AGF to bring her back to Nigeria from the UK, where she travelled to shortly after leaving office in 2015.

    She said she would like to appear in court in Nigeria to defend a criminal charge, bordering on alleged laundering of N450m, where her name had been mentioned.

    The main defendants in the charge are a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Belgore; and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.

    But Malami said the UK authorities were already taking appropriate steps on the matter.

    The minister however said if the Federal Government later saw any reason to bring the former minister back, it would not hesitate to do so.

    He said, “The truth of the matter is that steps have been taken by the United Kingdom authorities on issues bothering on corrupt practices involving Nigerians.

    “If Nigeria feels strongly that there is need to bring Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke here to face charges of corruption, government will not hesitate to do that.

    “As things are now, there is no need for that since the UK Government is already investigating her and government will not take any decision that will jeopardise what the UK Government is doing.”

    Malami said the government was working hard on issues of corruption and litigation in Nigeria and outside the country.

    He said it would be wrong to conclude that the government was not doing anything on the matter, considering the fact that there is an existing understanding between Nigeria and other countries especially UK on the recovery of stolen funds.

    When asked if Alison-Madueke can get fair hearing in Nigeria, Malami said, “Well, the issue is not about fair hearing now. We are talking about investigation first and is not within Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke powers to ask the Federal Government to bring her to testify in any case in Nigeria.

    “Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is facing charges of money laundering and acquisition of properties in the United Kingdom. So, it is important to face the charges there than for her to come as a mere witness in a case in Nigeria.”

  • Buhari will demand repatriation of looted funds at UN Assembly – Onyeama

    President Muhammadu Buhari will demand the repatriation of looted public funds to countries of origin, including Nigeria, at the forthcoming 72nd United Nations General Assembly holding in New York, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Onyeama explained that the President would lead a large delegation to the Assembly, which would hold between September 12 and 25, 2017.

    Onyeama told journalists at a briefing that the fight against terrorism, human rights protection, and repatriation of illicit financial assets to countries of origin, among other global issues, would top Nigeria’s agenda at the UN.

    He pointed out that the Federal Government was facing challenges of repatriating stolen funds stashed in foreign countries.

    He said, “The country would push to actualise the UN resolution on ‘Promotion of International Cooperation to Combat Illicit Financial Flows,’ so that all the countries of the world would be fully engaged in repatriating stolen funds to countries of origin.

    “For Nigeria, it is a developmental issue — it impacts directly on the developmental trajectory of Nigeria and other developing countries that resources that we need to promote development in the country are being siphoned out of the system and this has negative impact on the developmental challenges that we face.”

    The Minister added that President Buhari would renew calls for international support for the release of the remaining Chibok girls.

  • Again, UK repatriates 28 Nigerians for committing immigration offences

    The United Kingdom Government on Thursday deported 28 Nigerians for immigration offences.

    According to the spokesman for the Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, the deportees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, a few minutes after 12pm.

    He said the group comprised 21 males and seven females, who were brought back aboard a chartered Titanic Airways with registration number AWC-761/2.

    He added that they were received by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the Nigeria Police Force, and officials the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

    “They were profiled by immigration authorities and were each given a stipend to facilitate their transportation to their respective states,” Alabi said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that in the last two weeks, about 57 Nigerians have been deported from various countries in Europe while over 1, 500 were deported from other countries around the world in the last one year.