How Britain, Switzerland Tipped Buhari On Funds Stolen By Past Govt

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja applauded the renewed support
from Britain and Switzerland for the recovery and repatriation of public
funds stolen from Nigeria.

At separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors, who were
at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence, President
Buhari noted that 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.
The President called, however, 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, 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 British High Commissioner assured the President.
President Buhari also welcomed assurances from the new Swiss Ambassador,
Mr. Eric Mayoraz that his country will expedite action on the repatriation
of 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,” the President told the Swiss Ambassador.
President Buhari also received the letters of credence of the Ambassador
of  the State of Palestine, Mr. Saleh Fhied Saleh, the Ambassador of
Myanmar, Mr. Tha Aung Nyun and the Ambassador of Slovakia, Mr. Peter
Holasek.

(c)  Point Blank News