By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has commended the repatriation of $52.88 million in r...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has commended the repatriation of $52.88 million in recovered assets linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by the United States government.
CISLAC applauded the collaboration between the Nigerian and U.S. governments in achieving this milestone and underscored the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability in utilizing the recovered funds.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organization urged the Federal Government to channel the funds into visible development projects that directly benefit the Nigerian people.
Rafsanjani stated:
“According to the Minister of Justice, the bulk of the recovered funds will be used to finance rural electrification through the World Bank. However, we seek more details regarding this plan. For instance, will government agencies be involved? How much of the funds will actually reach the citizens?
“This is crucial, especially considering that the proposed 2025 budget includes substantial allocations for cars and other frivolous items that neither reflect the country’s economic realities nor address the widespread hunger. We need greater transparency about the utilization of these funds, as well as the full terms of the agreement between all parties involved.”
CISLAC emphasized the necessity of adhering to the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022, advocating for openness in disclosing details about asset recoveries. The organization stressed that citizens must be able to monitor the impact of these funds to hold the government accountable.
The organization further highlighted that visible and impactful use of the recovered assets is key to restoring public trust in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
Rafsanjani warned:
“If these funds are not transparently used for the benefit of Nigerians, suspicions of re-looting will inevitably arise. The era of mismanaging recovered assets must end.”
CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the recovery of looted funds and their proper deployment for national development. Rafsanjani added:
“This recovery is a positive outcome of CISLAC’s global advocacy efforts, alongside those of other partners. We will continue to support initiatives that promote justice, accountability, and socio-economic development.”
The organization also urged the Federal Government to build on this success by pursuing other pending asset recovery cases and ensuring that all proceeds are utilized to improve the lives of Nigerians.
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