The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed an agreement with the United States of America to return $954,000 allegedly stolen by the former governor of Bayelsa state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
The agreement was signed on Thursday in Abuja by the US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, and solicitor-general of the federation and permanent secretary of the ministry of justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba.
The solicitor-general said the recovered funds have been approved for the construction of a healthcare centre for the residents of Bayelsa state.
According to her, “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.”
