The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed has said that President Muhammadu Buhari did not release details of looted asset, recovered from corrupt persons due to legal reasons.
“Yes, he initially said so (that he would give specific details about recovered loot), but he was advised against doing so for legal reasons.”
Lai Mohammed who spoke at an interview on Channels Television said that President Buhari has the right to reverse himself.
“Of course, he has a right to reverse himself on that,” Lai Mohammed said, adding, however, that the administration will publish some details of recovered loot.
“We will get the list but not today; before the end of the week. But I must say not with the names,” he said.
President Buhari had on May 14, in London, promised to provide specific details of stolen asset by former public officials in his May 29th Democratic Day broadcast.
He has said then: “so far, what has come out, what has been recovered in whatever currency from each ministries, departments and individuals, I intend on the 29th to speak on this because all Nigerians are getting from the mass media because of the number of people arrested either by the EFCC, DSS. But we want to make a comprehensive report on the 29th.”
But during his nation-wide broadcast on Sunday morning, the President failed to make the details public. Instead, he said, the Information Ministry would soon release relevant details.
The development immediately drew the anget of Nigerians, who became outraged that their leader has once again failed to live up to his words. [myad]