BY LINUS CHIBUIKE
THE Federal Government has said that the much-publicised £4.2 million refund from the British government, popularly referred to as the Ibori loot, has not been returned to the Delta State Government.
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, said the money was still being expected.
The OAGF gave the clarification, following earlier reports quoting the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, to have said, while briefing lawmakers on Tuesday, that the money had been returned to Delta State.
Director of Information in his office, Henshaw Ogubike, said on Wednesday that the money was still being awaited, after which the issues around it would be resolved “before further action is taken.”
Recall that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had also earlier said that the Ibori loot had been returned.
The OAGF’s statement said, “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF, wishes to put the records straight regarding the widely circulated media report on the £4.2 million.
“The issue of the £4.2 million has not been properly resolved. The money is still being awaited, after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken.”
“For now, no money has been returned to Delta State. This explanation is without prejudice to the proceedings at the public hearing that took place yesterday (Tuesday) during which the AGF also made general comments about recoveries relating to state governments. This is the true position as regards the £4.2 million,” it explained.
