Ibori Looted Fund Should Be Returned To Delta State – Femi Falana Declared

Human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has asked that the £4.2million looted funds recovered from Delta State former Governor James Ibori by the UK government be returned back to the Delta state in immediate effect. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television Politics Today, Femi Falana stated that the Federal Government cannot lay claim to the fund under any law.

According to his words;

“The Federal Government ought to be commended for pursuing this matter having regards to the fact that this case is a collabo issue between the EFCC under Malami/Ribadu and the Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom.

“Having acknowledged the role of the Federal Government, the fund has to return to the source. As the Attorney General has stated; the money is over £100 million. So what has been released now is the first tranche of £4.2 million.

“Since the money left the covers of the Delta State Government, it has to be returned once it is recovered.”

Femi Falana who further pointed out that the ex-Delta State governor was convicted in the United Kingdom under the country’s law, averred that the victim which is Delta state has to be compensated.

He backed this up by stating that Article 35 of the United Nations Convention that is ratified between the United Kingdom and Nigeria respectively allows proceeds recovered from corruption to be expended on the victims.