By John Ikani
The Federal Government of Nigeria has denied returning £4.2 million loot recovered from former Governor James Ibori to Delta State Government.
The denial comes hours after the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris on Tuesday while appearing before the Senate committee investigating the status of recovered loot noted that the fund has been returned to the state.
A statement from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) on Wednesday said: “The money is still being awaited after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken. For now, no money has been returned to Delta State”.
The statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike, Director (Information, Press and Public Relations) explained: “The issue of the £4.2million Ibori loot has not been properly resolved”.
Regarding the Accountant General’s statement to the National Assembly on Tuesday claiming that the loot has been returned to the Delta government, Ogubike explained that: “The AGF was only making general comments about recoveries relating to State Governments”.
A full copy of the statement from the OAGF obtained by Heritage Times reads:
RE: £4.2m IBORI LOOT: PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) wishes to put the records straight regarding the widely circulated media report on the £4.2m Ibori Loot.
The issue of the £4.2m Ibori Loot has not been properly resolved. The money is still being awaited, after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken. For now, no money has been returned to Delta State.
This explanation is without prejudice to the proceedings at the public hearing that took place yesterday during which the AGF was only making general comments about recoveries relating to State Governments.
This is the true position as regards the £4.2m Ibori Loot.
Henshaw Ogubike mnipr
Director (Information, Press and Public Relations).
