US Provides Assurance To Buhari For Cooperation In Recovery Of Stolen Assets

The United States Secretary of State John Kerry provided verbal assurance to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari that the US would assist Nigeria in the recovery of stolen assets in the American banking system.
His assurances were made today during a formal meeting between the two leaders, according to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, President Buhari’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

Mr. Buhari stated to Mr. Kerry that, “it will greatly help our country if you assist us to recover all our stolen funds which we can establish to be within your financial system.”

Mr. Kerry then reassured him of the US’s capability to provide assistance to Nigeria, “it's not easy to hide that amount of money and we are pretty good in tracing them.” He also said that US officials would meet with the Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, to deepen these discussions.

SaharaReporters previously reported that Mr. Magu and the Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami have travelled to the US to meet with government officials. Likely talking points include the $2 billion Malabu oil scandal, the $180 million Halliburton scandal, and other assets domiciled in the US.

Mr. Kerry also noted Mr. Buhari’s order to the Nigerian Armed Forces to respect human rights, particularly in the war against Boko Haram. Mr. Buhari offered appreciation to the US for training and supplying Nigerian troops in the war against terrorism in their country.