An aide of President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, has given an indication that Nigeria is expecting bigger loot from abroad.
She described the $N4.2m being received as part of money carted away by former Governor James Ibori as chicken amount, adding that elephant amount was still away.
In a statement in which she countered an assertion by the Accountant General of the Federation Ahmed Idris, who was earlier quoted as saying the money had been paid to owner state, which is Delta, Lauretta said the terms of releasing it to the FG tied it to specific projects.
She said: “Now, let me remind us. The attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Mallami, the British high commissioner, Catriona Laing, and other relevant agencies held a press conference openly telling the world when the money would be returned, and the specific projects the money was approved for openly.
“When it was delayed, the attorney-general informed Nigerians of the reason for the delay. When the loot arrived, Nigerians were informed too. The conditions under which the funds were repatriated, still stand. Again, no penny was paid to the Delta state government. If we break the conditions for getting this chicken amount, how do we get the elephant amount that is still coming?
“The British high commissioner is also keeping an open eye on those projects. I know what we all heard. But we also know the facts. Pres. Muhammadu Buhari runs an open government. The attorney-general is part of the open policy. Nothing hidden. Nigerians would be the first to know if he decides to break an agreement made with Britain. I very much doubt it. He’s an Honourable man.”
Meanwhile the accountant general office has also later said the money has neither been received nor transferred to Delta.
