By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The much-awaited £4.2 million (N2.3 billion) loot recovered from the former Governor of Delta State, Mr James Ibori, by the United Kingdom government, has been received by the Nigeria government.
The £4.2 million Ibori loot was received by the federal government on Tuesday morning, according to reports.
Recall that recently, the Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, disclosed that the country was expecting the fund very soon as the paper works for the transfer of the money was almost concluded.
Today, Leadership Newspaper claimed a senior official in the office of the AGF office confirmed that the money was already in Nigeria.
“The £4.2 million seized from former Delta State Governor, Mr James Ibori, just arrived in Nigeria this morning (Tuesday). The money was recovered from his friends and family members,” the paper quoted its source as saying.
Mr Ibori governed the oil-rich Delta State from 1999 to 2007. He was jailed in the United Kingdom for fraud and returned to Nigeria a few years ago after he was released.
The £4.2 million has been a subject of controversy after the federal government said it would use the money to finance some projects across the country.
Delta State kicked against this, claiming the money belongs to the state government and should at least be used to fund projects in the state.
Adedapo Adesanya