Lawan Seeks UN’s Intervention to Repatriate Nigeria’s Looted Funds

The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday disclosed that a large chunk of Nigeria’s funds stolen over the years are still in several bank accounts domiciled in some foreign countries.

He has, therefore, appealed to the United Nations Organisation (UNO) to assist in the repatriation of the identified looted funds.

Lawan, made the appeal yesterday evening while playing host to the United Nations Country delegation led by Mr. Edward Kallon, at the National Assembly, Abuja.

The Senate President, who was responding to concerns raised by the visiting delegation, said the fight against corruption in Nigeria continues to suffer setbacks due to the inability of the federal government to repatriate looted funds stashed away in foreign countries across the world.

He posited that such resources, if at the disposal of government, would go a long way towards addressing critical developmental and infrastructural deficits faced by the nation.

“So, much of Nigeria’s resources have been taken out of the country. But even when we identify embezzled funds, to get them back to Nigeria is a big deal. And in fact, we are suffering from that for years. We have had few occasions when we received some repatriation, but the bulk is still out there.

“We need UN to help us, because the kind of resources that are alleged to have been taken out of Nigeria will make the country a rich country if they are repatriated. We have never been a rich country, comparing the resources we have had, and the development challenges facing us till date. We are blessed and endowed, but we need every single kobo to be put into the development of this country,” the Senate President said

Lawan further lamented that due to lack of funds, the federal government resorted to obtaining domestic and foreign loans to fund capital projects in the 2020 budget.