US partners FG to repatriate $954,000 Alamieyeseigha loot

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The United States and the federal government, Thursday, signed an agreement to return $954,000, allegedly stolen by the former governor of Bayelsa State, late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

The US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard and the SolicitorGeneral of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, signed and presented the agreement in Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the FG, Jeddy-Agba revealed that the recovered funds have been approved for the construction of a healthcare centre for the residents of Bayelsa state.

“This asset return arose from the forfeiture and recovery of approximately $1 million USD linked to the corrupt practices of former Bayelsa state governor, D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha,” she said.

The US government in partnership with Nigeria initiated and completed forfeiture proceedings against certain real property and investment funds located in Maryland and Massachusetts against the former governor.

According to her, the stolen funds and property resulted in the net forfeiture to the Government of United States of America totalling the sum of $954,807.40.

“Following the court order, the FRN and the USA have negotiated and finalized the terms of the asset return agreement.

“It is worthy to note that in line with the terms of this agreement, Mr President has already approved the expected sum to be utilised for the implementation of a health centre project for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa state and to be monitored by the civil society organisations and the federal government, through the federal ministry of justice.”

In her speech, Mary Leonard noted that The former governor wouldn’t have legitimately possessed the funds since his salary while he was governor between 1999 and 2005 “did not exceed the equivalent of about $81,000 per year.

“However, during that time, he accumulated millions of dollars worth of property through corrupt acts such as abuse of office, money laundering, and other violations of Nigerian and US laws.

“The United States court case against DSP through the kleptocracy asset recovery initiative is part of our efforts to combat money laundering and corruption.

“Prosecutors working under this initiative are responsible for investigations and litigation to recover the proceeds of foreign official corruption.

“The funds are returned in accordance with our obligations under the UN Convention against corruption and to further the tenets of transparency and accountability set forth in the global forum on asset recovery principles for disposition and transfer of confiscated stolen assets and corruption,” she concluded.

Benue APC Guber: Supreme Court dismisses Prof Shija’s case against Rev Fr Alia

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

An appeal filed by Professor Terhemba Shija, against Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia’s election as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate of Benue State, has been dismissed by the Supreme court.

The 5-man panel of the Apex Court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro dismissed the appeal following its withdrawal by the Appellant on ground of being statute barred.

The court held that the Appallant failed to have instituted the suit within 14 days stipulated by section 285 of 1999 Constitution as amended.

At the proceeding, counsel to Professor Shija’s, Mr Kenneth Ikonne, in his argument insisted that the cause of action arose on May 28, 2022, while counsel to the APC, Matthew Burkaa SAN stood his ground that the cause of action emanated on May 26.

Arguing further, APC drew the attention of the Court to a letter of Professor Shija, complaining and dissociating himself from the events of May 26 and 27.

Although the Professor insisted that the cause of action arose on May 28, when the results of the primary election was announced, the content of his letter was used against him that he became aware of the cause of action on May 26 and ought to have instituted the suit within 14 days stipulated by section 285 of 1999 Constitution.

The appellant was advised to withdraw the matter as it was later established that the suit was filed outside 14 days allowed by law.

Consequently, the court, unanimously dismissed by the panel.