The Federal Government on Monday painted graphic details of the monumental corruption that rocked country in the past, declaring that 55 privileged Nigerians stole N1.34 trillion from the treasury between 2006 and 2013.
The period in question covered the last three administrations of former President Olusegun Obsanjo, late Umar Musa Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who made the disclosure at a briefing with the media House Bureau Chiefs in Abuja, said all the 55 are in court facing trial.
He appealed to the judiciary to help speed up the cases.
He said, “The situation is dire and the time to act is now. For example, between 2006 and 2013, just 55 people allegedly stole a total of N1.34 trillion in Nigeria. That’s more than a quarter of last year’s national budget! Out of the stolen funds, 15 former governors allegedly stole N146.84 billion, four former ministers allegedly stole N7billion, 12 former public servants, both at federal and state levels, allegedly stole over N14billion, eight people in the Banking Industry allegedly stole N524billion and 11 businessmen allegedly stole N653 billion.
“Now, what do these figures translate to in the actual sense? In other words, what is the cost of these stolen funds for Nigerians? Using World Bank Rates and Costs, one third of the stolen funds could have provided 635.18 kilometres of road, built 36 ultra modern hospitals, that is one ultra modern hospital per state, built 183 schools, educated 3,974 children from primary to tertiary level at 25.24 million per child and built 20,062 units of 2-bedroom houses.”
He also described reports that the current anti-corruption war was lopsided as erroneous and nauseating.
He added, “There is the erroneous impression out there that the war against corruption is a vendetta against the opposition, and that it is one-sided. This is not true and indeed very nauseating.
“This is the money that a few people, just 55 in number, allegedly stole within a period of just eight years. And instead of a national outrage, all we hear are these nonsensical statements that the government is fighting only the opposition, or that the government is engaging in vendetta.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Are u a lawyer at all?
ReplyDeletePeople like you anonymoud must br left to die in poverty , you don't deserve any kindness.With all what your fathers have this country , you still talk nonsense.If they show you white paper you said it is painted.Mumu
ReplyDeleteAre we not tired of hearing about the past, Mr Lie ? Can't you tell us something, at least, about the future ? Honestly, this Government is grossly incompitent. If care is not taken, things may remain like this throughout Buhari's tenure.Well, as events are unfolding, I am enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteFellow Anonymous, you should hear yourself! Is it now wrong to let Nigerians know the gravity of the robbery committed by those we entrusted with our mandate in the past? Before Mr. Lai should talk about the future, is it so wrong to first tell us about the past so we may brace up for what awaits us in the future? Are you not aware that the future cannot be but what the past and present have molded it to be? And are you not aware that some of these stolen loot has started being returned to the coffers of government? What any decent, unbiased Nigerian should be asking is that the names of these thieves be made public so we the citizens may know and blacklist them from the mandate they may return to seek in the future.
DeleteFellow Anonymous, I support the previous person. For many months now we hear
Delete1. Person A stole
2. Person B stole
etc
We have also heard
1. Person A have returned
2. Person B was released because he returned
etc
However things remain worst than it was during GEJ.
1. Forget the official exchange rate of about 199 naira to a dollar. It never works if you want to do business. Never in the history of Nigeria have the exchange rate passed N300 to a dollar
2. All the fight against the same corruption never made anyones live easy
3. The difficulty is worst. DO NOT SAY IT WAS GEJ THAT CAUSED IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT. The problem started even before GEJ. The politics of passing blame seriously shows that Buhari have started failing
ALL WE WANT IS IMPROVED LIFE
We do not care how you go about it just give us result and stop the USELESS BLAME GAME
IT IS ANNOYING
Change
ReplyDeleteWhat amuses me is those who are suffering the consequences of corruption are willing tools in the hands of the 53 thieves ready to tell you to look forward. In developed world the people will not rest until all these thieves are jailed and stolen wealth retrieved. In other places the identified thieves will not be able to walk freely on the roads. But here there are idiots who will back them
ReplyDeleteIf It is not one sided, name APC policies being investigated and persecuted? Or the allegations against Amaechi Fashola etc are not worth investigating.? Tinubu, Obasanjo and his corrupt government are not pro§eluted? Lie muhammad, time will tell
ReplyDeleteThis man is just a monumental disappointment. If this government is using half of the energy they are using to fight corruption, USD won't be 305 naira. I voted for change and got chain instead. Let's be realistic here: our economy has collapsed. Some people are dancing over 5k offered to Nigerian youths when minimum wage at 18k is crazy. I weep for this nation.
ReplyDeleteWhich future are you talking about when now is under probability? You guys are jokers. Change has come because if God has not delivered this country from the former ruling party, all these mess we are reading wouldn't have come out.
ReplyDeleteLiar Mohammad what is your agenda for Nigeria. Pls, we r waiting
ReplyDeleteFellow commentators, i wish to remind you that for you to move forward in life, you have to realise where you are now, look back at where you are coming from and then plan for your tomorrow. This present govt may not be perfect but i want to believe that it is right for them to look back at what kept us where we are today in order to appreciate today and plan for tomorrow. The major reason why we are here today is the fact that extremely few privileged greedy Nigerians usurped our commonwealth and pauperised the nation. Nigeria over the years is managed like private business of our rulers. This govt must first halt the excesses of these wicked few, then recover the much that may be recoverable and finally map out plan for the future.
ReplyDeleteThey just told us that they wish to build 10,000 hospitals, employ 500,0000 teachers in partnership with States and LGAs, and thousands of people into the millitary and para-millitary. Not to talk of road projects etc. What else do you want the govt to do before you know that they have plan for our future. Ours is to simply watch for strategy to actualize the plan and faithfully contribute to its success. God will surely help us. Lets keep faith alive.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct but don't be in hurry because the terrain was and still not easy for this government for speedy recovery. Most of the countries that passed through and out of this type of mess got to where they are today meticulously slowly.
Delete.
ReplyDeleteHonestly we should move on from all this corruption talk. The APC government would soon be 1 year. The APC government that is not stealing money what project have they started with the money they have saved or recovered? If they do not start now when are we going to get the "635.18 kilometres of road, built 36 ultra modern hospitals, that is one ultra modern hospital per state, built 183 schools, educated 3,974 children from primary to tertiary level at 25.24 million per child and built 20,062 units of 2-bedroom houses.”
ReplyDeletePlease show us projects that you have started that would impact the common man and stop all this noise yu are making Mr mininster.
Do do not have to be going backwards because you are looking backwards. punish all the looters by all means but that should not be a distraction all the time as we ate not making progress.
ReplyDeleteTheir names plssssss
ReplyDeleteI pity for this country when empty heads like this LIAR Mohammed are part of the running of the state. Cases you have taken to or about to take to court, you have already pronounced the defendants guilty. How can you be so sure that all would be found guilty and the exact amount you are bandying about would be be same as they "stole"? What is wrong with this man and his party? This is just an excuse because they have no focus, direction nor plan for the country. Look at the state of the nation which wasn't so before they took over power. Please LIAR, tell your oga to move forward while prosecuting those alleged to have stolen money. The country cannot be comatose just for you to fill your jails and punish your political enemies. This is getting too disgusting. Oshiomhole is one side making stupid statements and you are here making them worse. Is this best Nigeria can produce?
ReplyDeleteFollow the paper trail, get the money back.
ReplyDeletePut in place systems that control the movement of money.
Passing money down a chain were every department took a piece of the action is crazy
Those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it - Santayana
ReplyDeleteif the ship of corruption have to sink with its crew then, the captain of the ship shouldnt be given a life jacket and a small boat to escape. Ponder on that.
ReplyDeleteHow terrible will it be for us to latter see that this APC government also stole form the treasury after 4 years. However looters now will not be known until the party looses election. I think it would be best for the ruling party to be changed every 4 years so that looters will be punished during every new regime.
ReplyDeleteHas Mr. Lie forgotten his promises he made last year that Nigerians will celebrating at least one festival everyday?this is t create employment for the youth,this will amount to 366 festivals in a year.
ReplyDeleteOga Lie today is 19th and no single festival done O and neitherwould dere be à nyone tmw,just to remind you and ur lie office.
lie Muhammad Mr 365 festival per year.
ReplyDelete