Ministry of justice says recovered N15b, $10k stolen funds

The Ministry of Justice in Nigeria says it has recovered over Fifteen billion naira and Ten thousand dollars in the course of its anti-corruption fight.The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami stated this when the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters visited the Ministry of Justice on an oversight function in Abuja, Nigeria.“We have achieved initiative designed to ensure we develop a holistic approach to the administration of justice in Nigeria.These initiatives included the revival of regular meetings with the body of the Attorneys General in the Federation as a platform for improved interactions among justice sector administrators and promoting harmony in law reform and administration in the country,” he said.He also disclosed that the Ministry commenced the process for the development of the justice sector reform action plan for 2016 to 2017 among other initiatives.“Let me put it on records that the Federal Ministry of Justice has equally, significantly recorded successes in the recovery drive as it relates to looted funds.In that regard and direction, over Fifteen billion naira has been recovered by the Federal Ministry of Justice and indeed the sum of Ten point Five million dollars were equally recovered in that direction,” he stated.Responding,  the Senate committee Chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal matters Senator David Umar said he was satisfied with the performance of the ministry hence, the committee would ensure it is adequately funded.“With all the constraints, this Ministry and its parastatals have made judicious use of the funds allocated to each of them particularly the projects enumerated in the budgetBy this exercise the committee is preparing for budget defence for the 2017 which was actually delivered by His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the National Assembly last year” Senator Umar noted.The Lawmakers also lauded the four major priority areas outlined by the ministry as part of efforts to move the country forward.