The Federal Government and the Delta State Government have disagreed over who should be the custodian of the £4.2 million recovered from friends and family members of former Delta State Governor James Ibori to be returned to Nigeria by the United Kingdom government.
On the part of the Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami said: “The major consideration relating to who is entitled to a fraction or perhaps the money in its entirety is a function of law and international diplomacy.”
He added: “All the processes associated with the recovery were consummated by the federal government and the federal government is indeed, the victim of crime and not the sub-national,” Speaking on Channels Television last night.
But the Delta State Government rejected the takeover of the cash by the Federal Government.
Commissioner for Information Charles Aniagwu described the presidential directive as “provocative and condemnable”.
According to him, the state government would not “hesitate to take all necessary legal action”.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary Olisa Ifeajika insisted that: “The money belongs to Delta government. If it’s being returned, it should come to Delta State. Chief James Ibori was not a federal minister; neither was he a federal permanent secretary; he was never a federal official. He operated in Delta State as a governor.
“So, if there is any window for the money to be brought back, it should, naturally, come to Delta State. And if for any reason, that the Federal Government has a different plan, there should be a discussion with the state government.”
