Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), says the loot
recovered from convicted ex-Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, belongs to
the state and not the Federal Government.
He, therefore, faulted the Federal Government’s plan to use
the recently recovered £4.2m to construct Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano
railway and other federal projects.
Falana, in a statement, said, “The £4.2m does not belong to
the Federal Government. The money confiscated from Governor Joshua Dariye in
the United Kingdom was recovered by the Federal Government, repatriated to
Nigeria and returned to the Plateau State Government.
“The money confiscated from Governor Diepreye Alamieyesigha
in the United Kingdom was recovered by the Federal Government, repatriated to
Nigeria and remitted to the account of Bayelsa State Government.
“Since what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,
the sum of £4.2 million confiscated from Governor James Ibori in the UK and
recovered by the Federal Government has to be remitted to the account of the
Delta State Government.”
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami
(SAN), had said one of the reasons the recovered loot could not be given to the
Delta State Government was that part of the conditions for the repatriation of
the fund was that it would be used for certain projects.
He said this agreement had also been backed by a Memorandum
of Understanding.
Responding, however, Falana said, “The memorandum of
understanding signed by the representatives of the British Government and the
Federal Government cannot supersede the constitution which has prohibited any
form of discrimination in the country.
“In other words, by virtue of Section 42 of the constitution
the governments and people of Plateau, Bayelsa and Delta States are entitled to
equal rights and opportunities.
“Interestingly, some concerned citizens of Delta State have
decided to join issues with the Federal Government. Otherwise, another sum of
$20m which will soon be recovered and repatriated from the confiscated fund
will also be claimed by the Federal Government on very shaky legal grounds.”
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