By Peter Adelowo
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi has confirmed the return of over $110 million assets recovery from various countries.
Prince Fagbemi made this known during budget Defence with the House of Representatives Committee on Justice in Abuja.
The Minister explained that the Ministry has developed a template for most of the agreements and sharing with some of the State Governments in order to help them to review contracts.
While speaking on the judgement obtained against government, Prince Fagbemi recalled that the “popular case of P&ID, there were so many issues involved including engaging lawyers that are not up to the task.
Mr. Fagbemi who pointed out that the State Governments are at liberty to engage in foreign transactions, however noted that the sub national governments are not recognized in case there are arbitration, stressing that it is the national government that takes such responsibilities.
The Chairman House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba, who expressed displeasure about the failure of the Minister to give breakdown of the fund including the $52.88 million recovered assets linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, also frowned at the failure of the Ministry to provide details on the utilisation of N4.7 billion reportedly spent on legal services.
The Committee also accused the Ministry of usurping the powers of the Parliament for re-appropriating the approved funds for 2024 fiscal year for other purposes not approved by the Parliament without due process.
The Committee however commended the Ministry for landmark achievements recorded so far.
