Buhari Hails UK, Switzerland Roles In Recovering Nigeria’s Stolen Funds

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday applauded the British and Switzerland governments’ support for Federal Government‘s ongoing recovery and repatriation of funds stolen from Nigeria.

The President spoke at separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors, who were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to present their letters of credence.

Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said British, Swiss and other foreign anti-crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations.

He, however, called for the speeding up of the processes of investigation, prosecution and repatriation of Nigerian funds stolen by corrupt public officials and their accomplices.

“Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started.

“It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual. I personally appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue.

“He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his words,” the President told the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright.

Mr. Arkwright assured him of Britain’s preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted resources.

“We are most ready to help. We have a good team at the National Crime Agency (NCA) working with your Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Tell us where and how we can help and we will provide the assistance,’’ the High Commissioner stated.

President Buhari also welcomed assurances from the new Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Eric Mayoraz, that his country will expedite action on the repatriation of several millions of dollars stolen by Nigerian public officials and still held in Swiss Banks.

“I am very pleased and we will get our Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with you to ensure that all the stolen funds are returned safely to government coffers as quickly as possible,” he said.