CNPP demands new method to recover $400 billion stolen funds

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, has called on the Federal Government to adopt the blanket request method to recover over $400 billion stolen from the federal treasury by some past leaders of the country.

Rising from a meeting in Enugu at the weekend, the group of opposition parties, in a communique, said though it was pleased with the recovery of the funds looted by the late Head of State, Sani Abacha, government should adopt the blanket request method to get all stolen funds back to the country.

CNPP was reacting to the report by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke that the Federal Government had recovered about N5.5 billion (22.5 million British Pound) and that negotiation had reached advanced stage to recover N36.7 billion ( EUR 175 million) of Abacha looted fund.

'Whereas we applaud the recovery of looted fund looted by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha; we demand as a matter of urgent national importance for President Goodluck Jonathan to Request for Blanket Recovery of over $400 billion fleeced off our treasury in the last two decades,' the group said in the communiqué signed by its spokesman, Osita Okechukwu.

'President Jonathan should utilize the window opened by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which bound countries to render mutual legal assistance in gathering and transferring evidence and Chapter V of the Convention which made asset recovery explicitly a fundamental principle of the Convention.'

CNPP said its investigation revealed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo only requested for the funds looted by Mr, Abacha but did not ask for those looted by other leaders.

CNPP said, 'Our investigation within the diplomatic circle shows that ex-president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo only requested for Abacha loot and turned blind eye to the other looters. We demand that a blanket request be made; for we need the billions of dollars to invest in critical infrastructure, revamp our decayed social services and stem gross unemployment'.

'We frowned at the selective approach in the loot recovery process, which looks more of a vindictive venture rather than war against corruption.

'The selective approach sends wrong signals within and outside our shores; therefore we appeal for effective liaison and communication with targeted countries to hasten the pace of recovery of funds siphoned out of our treasury.'