Buhari may reveal details of recovered loot at London summit

There were signs last night that President Muhammadu Buhari may disclose the actual amount of funds so far recovered from those who looted the treasury under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, at the London Anti-Corruption Summit.

Officials were at work last night with a view to verifying the figure.

Sources said Buhari intends to update all the world leaders expected at the summit about his war against corruption. The president is to depart Abuja on Tuesday for the meeting.

Sixty global leaders including Buhari will be participating in the talks.

“Contrary to insinuations that the anti-graft war of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is a witch-hunt, the world leaders will be presented with the nation’s fact-sheet on the fight so far,” a top source said last night.

“At the summit, the President will make disclosures on recovered loot and the challenges ahead. The figures have been collated by all relevant MDAs but kept under wraps as I talk to you.

“These critics will realize at the end of the day that Buhari has walked the talk on the anti-corruption war. The President will join 59 other world leaders in the United Kingdom to seal the pact which will make 60 countries a “no safe haven” for treasury looters.

Some of the sanctions likely against looters are as follows:

travel restriction or denial of entry into the 60 countries;
rejection of request for political asylum by corrupt political and public officers;
likely loss of citizenship;
no more approval of naturalisation for any corrupt person;
no establishment of shell companies abroad; and
the corrupt will not be allowed to operate foreign accounts in any of the 60 nations.
The UK Government which is hosting the summit said the leaders might agree on the enforcement of international anti-corruption laws

It said: “On 12 May, the Prime Minister will host the Anti-Corruption Summit to step up global action to expose, punish and drive out corruption in all walks of life.

“The summit will seek to galvanize a global response to tackle corruption. As well as agreeing a package of actions to tackle corruption across the board, it will deal with issues including corporate secrecy, government transparency, the enforcement of international anti-corruption laws, and the strengthening of international institutions.

“It will be the first summit of its kind, bringing together world leaders, business and civil society to agree a package of practical steps to:

expose corruption so there is nowhere to hide
punish the perpetrators and support those affected by corruption
drive out the culture of corruption wherever it exists
“The summit will be preceded by a conference on 11 May for leaders in civil society, business and government who are championing the fight against corruption.”

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), who had initially spoken exclusively with our correspondent, said the agreement by the world leaders will make it difficult for those stealing public funds in the country to escape abroad or operate slush accounts to stash away cash.

He said: “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is stepping up the fight against corruption. I am happy to bring to your notice that Nigeria and 59 other countries will enter into an agreement in May on the imposition of international sanctions against corrupt political and public office holders. This will take place at the 2016 international summit on anti-corruption in the UK.

“At the May summit, these 60 countries will agree on some sanctions against those who steal public funds or launder money. Some of these measures are travel restriction or denial of entry into the 60 countries; rejection of request for political asylum by corrupt political and public officers; no more approval of application for naturalisation by any corrupt person; and the corrupt will not be allowed to operate foreign accounts in any of the signatory nation to the pact among others.

“The affected countries will also design ways of sharing intelligence on corrupt officers and money launderers. We will all key into this understanding as part of the global action against corruption.

“With this development, there is no hiding place for any public office holder who steals funds in this country.”