The Solicitor-General of the Federation (SGF), Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, has called for transparency and openness in the use of assets recovered from people engaged in economic crimes within and outside the country.
She made the call yesterday in Abuja at a summit on Asset Recovery.
According to her, the purpose of asset recovery will be defeated if repatriated funds are improperly allocated.
She said transparency must form the cornerstone of efforts on asset recovery for the purpose to be meaningful.
She added that “citizens have the right to know how recovered assets are being used, and we must establish reliable mechanisms for public reporting and oversight.
“By institutionalising clear asset utilisation frameworks, we prevent misappropriation and ensure recovered funds serve the interests of national progress.
“We must empower civil society organisations, journalists and citizen-led initiatives to actively participate in tracking hidden wealth and advocating responsible asset utilisation.”
She said that the summit was more than a policy discussion, as it was also a testament to the shared vision of a Nigeria where transparency, accountability and the rule of law prevailed.
The SGF noted the need for the whistleblower policy to be strengthened, saying it would encourage information sharing and uncover undisclosed assets.
She said that “over the years, Nigeria recovered substantial funds that were unlawfully taken from the public trust.
“These assets, whether repatriated from foreign jurisdictions or reclaimed through domestic enforcement, hold immense potential for national development.”
Jedy-Agba, who doubles as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, explained that Nigeria was at a crossroads where decisive action must be taken to reshape the asset recovery landscape.
She, therefore, called for strengthening of the country’s laws, policies and processes, as well as ensuring that the framework governing asset recovery remained robust and adaptive.
She thanked international partners for the continued support and engagement in asset recovery efforts, noting that “the fight against corruption and asset misappropriation transcend borders.
“Nigeria has made great strides working alongside global enforcement bodies such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). (NAN)