Nigeria: Dr Umar Gwandu, his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, issued a statement on Monday on behalf of the minister, in which he stated that the purpose of the meeting was to emphasise the importance of beneficial ownership transparency.
In order to make asset identification, recovery and return easier, he said Nigeria, along with Pakistan, the State of Palestine, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya, submitted a draught resolution titled “Enhancing Access to, and Use of, Beneficial Ownership Information” to the United Nations General Assembly.
As a result of the ongoing efforts to eradicate corruption in Nigeria, he stated that great progress had been achieved.
We will make considerable progress in our efforts to prevent and battle corruption, stop leaks, and recover our stolen assets,” Malami stated.
He reminded the audience that the Nigerian government has established new laws and regulations in order to better tackle corruption in the country.
For the investigation and punishment of corruption, an effective Criminal Justice System is required. Implementing the Justice Sector Reform Strategy, Nigeria is actively involved in international cooperation mechanisms, mutual legal assistance, and the reform of the criminal justice system, among other activities.
According to him, “we just passed a Mutual Legal Assistance Law in accordance with the recommendations of the UNCAC review, as well as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Act, which established a stand-alone Financial Intelligence Unit.”
