The federal government on Thursday officially launched a central asset database initiative designed to trace, track and recover stolen assets.
The programme was tagged: ‘Formal launch of the Central Database under Asset Tracing, recovery and management Regulations 2019 and the Central Criminal Justice Information System under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2017-2019, and Sensitization Workshop for stakeholders.
Delivering his speech at the occasion, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, described the initiative as continual efforts and further commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to fighting corruption in the country.
According to the AGF, the initiative was also targeted at deepening transparency in the asset recovery effort in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
He said, “Apart from our involvement in the Open Government Partnership initiative, anti-corruption agencies saddled with responsibilities have been given adequate support to succeed.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General of the Federation, Dayo Apata SAN, hinted on the need for the actualization and development of the central database for recovered assets and the central criminal justice information system, which he described as two major tools.
He said, “let me recall that, following the issuance of the asset tracing, recovery and management regulations on the 29th October, 2019 by the AGF, the need to put in place a centralized database for the storage of records of all recovered assets within and outside of Nigeria as contained in Section 3 of the ATRM Regulations, 2019 became obligatory for Nigeria. Hence, the AGF team worked tirelessly with minimal funding to develop these tools,”
In a short remark, the duo of acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), DCP Mohammad Umar and Professor Bolaji Owasanoye jointly described the initiative as a welcome development, saying they were ready to key into the initiative.
According to Umar, the initiative will enhance effective management of seized assets, saying the agency is already maintaining a database which contains all frozen or seized assets.
While also commending the federal government, Owasanoye described the initiative as long overdue, saying apart from preventing any form of looting and re-looting of assets, the initiative will remain a key component of transparency and accountability.
While the Speaker, House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila described the initiative as apt for the 21st century, stating that NASS will continue to empower relevant agencies to recover looted assets via quality legislation.
British High Commission through its representative, Andrew Clowes, which also pledged its partnership with the Nigeria government in the fight against corruption, described it as a step forward.
