Buhari to UK: Speed up prosecution of corrupt Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday applauded what he called the renewed support from Britain and Switzerland for the recovery and repatriation of public funds stolen from Nigeria.

He, however called on both countries to speed up the processes of investigation and prosecution of corrupt former Nigerian officials and their accomplices as well as repatriation of the stolen funds.

The president was speaking at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja while speaking in separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors Paul Arkwright and Eric Mayoraz respectively.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the two ambassadors were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to Buhari.

Adesina said Buhari noted that British, Swiss and other foreign anti-crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations.

The presidential spokesman also quoted Arkwright as assuring Buhari of Britain’s preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted resources.

Adesina said the president also welcomed assurances from the new Swiss ambassador that his country would expedite action on the repatriation of millions of dollars stolen by Nigerian public officials and still held in Swiss Banks.