FG ‘will soon disclose’ identities of looters

 The federal government has promised to disclose the identities of those who enriched themselves at the expense of the country.

According to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, gave the assurance during a meeting in Abuja.

Adetokunbo Mumuni, executive secretary of the human rights group, said Malami mentioned that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed all the relevant agencies to compile documents on names of all “looters”, with a view to enforcing the judgment of a federal high court in Lagos.

The court had ordered the government to release to Nigerians information about the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered.

The court also ordered the government to tell Nigerians the circumstances under which funds were recovered, as well as the exact amount of funds recovered from each public official.

“We had a very productive meeting with Mr Malami, discussing among other critical issues the need for the government to obey the judgment delivered in July by Hon Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari following a freedom of information suit number:  FHC/CS/964/2016 brought by SERAP,” Mumuni said in a statement.

“Mr Malami informed us that President Buhari has directed the ministry of justice, ministry of finance, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies involved in the recovery of looted funds to promptly put the documents together with a view to fully and promptly enforcing the judgment by Justice Shagari.”

SERAP asked the government to enforce the judgement, which it described as a victory for the rule of law.

“We appreciate the opportunity to meet with the attorney-general of the federation and look forward to working with him as the government strives to enforce this very important judgment,” Mumuni said.

“We hope that the implementation of the judgment will now happen sooner rather than later. We believe that effectively implementing the judgment will be a victory for the rule of law, show the way forward in the fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators in the country, as well as demonstrate Buhari’s oft-repeated commitment to tackling the problem of grand corruption.”

Last year, SERAP filed a suit after the federal government disclosed that it had recovered some funds from high-ranking public officials and private individuals.