Looted Funds: We Can’t Steal Your Money, ..We’ve Recovered Over N800 billion – Lai Mohammed Addresses Nigerians

The Nigerian government said it has recovered over N800 billion in looted funds.

The government also said it has secured the conviction of over 1,400 persons.

The nation’s information minister, Lai Mohammed, stated this via a statement on Tuesday.

”This administration’s fight against corruption is as strong as ever, and we have the records to back up this claim,” Mr Muhammed said.

“This administration has recorded over 1,400 convictions, including high profile ones, and recovered funds in excess of N800 billion, not to talk of forfeiture of ill-gotten properties. This is no mean feat,” he added.

Mr Muhammed also addressed the alleged corruption unearthed in agencies such as the anti-graft EFCC, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Nigeria Social Investment Trust Fund (NSITF).

A civic group, ActionAid Nigeria, in a report on Tuesday, said the incessant corruption allegations in government agencies “may stop Nigeria from achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

The minister, in his statement, referring to the allegations, acknowledged the administration could have ”avoided its present predicaments” but said the cases “are still under investigation”.

He added that many of the allegations “had already been in existence in previous administrations”.