The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, has signed an agreement with the Nigerian Government officials to repatriate funds stolen by the late Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and starched in U.S.
Persecondnews reports that rhe repatriation agreement was signed between American officials and Nigeria’s Solicitor General of the Federation, as well as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice in Abuja, on Thursday, February 16.
The Federal Government and the United State came to terms to refund $954,000 allegedly stolen by Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and on the approval of the President Buhari that the funds will be utilized to improve the healthcare system in Bayelsa State.
Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation, told a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday that the implementation of a health centre in Bayelsa will be monitored by the civil society organizations and the Federal Government through the Ministry of Justice.
“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 totalling the sum of $954,807.40.
“Following the court order, the FRN and the USA have negotiated and finalized the terms of the asset return agreement.
“It is worthy to note that in line with the terms of this agreement, Mr President has already approved the expected sum to be utilised for the implementation of a health centre project for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa state and to be monitored by the civil society organisations and the federal government, through the federal ministry of justice,” she said.
Persecondnews recalls that in October 2009 Alamieyeseigha was arrested in London over allegations of money laundering after British authorities found nearly $2 million cash in the governor’s London home.
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