The United States government will return the $954,000 allegedly stolen by a former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to Nigeria after signing a reinstatement agreement with the Federal Government.
The agreement was signed on Thursday in Abuja by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, and the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba.
The repatriated funds were said to be embezzled by former governor of the state, the late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, between 1999 and 2005.
Reacting, the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), commended the efforts by the two countries to make the event a reality.
“Permit me to express my gratitude towards the efforts of the Government of the United States of America in ensuring that looted funds are returned to Nigeria not only in this case but in other pending cases such as Galactica, Blue Assets, Saborne amongst others.
“You may recall that this asset return arose from the forfeiture and recovery of approximately $1 million USD linked to the corrupt practices of former Bayelsa State Governor, D.S.P Alamieyeseigha.
“The United States Government, in collaboration with the Federal Republic of Nigeria initiated and completed forfeiture proceedings against certain real property and investment funds located in Maryland and Massachusetts against the former governor which resulted in the net forfeiture to the Government of United States of America totaling the sum of $954,807.40,” the AGF said.
