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FG Reveals How Nigeria Recovered Loot From UK, Switzerland, US

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The Federal Government has given an insight into how preventive measures adopted to check corruption and manage recovered stolen assets had brought about the repatriation of some stolen funds stashed away overseas.

Such funds included the $322.515 million in Switzerland, $311.7 million in the United States, €5.4 million Euros in Northern Ireland, €4,214,017.66 in the United Kingdom and another $200 million.

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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Assistant (Media and Public Relations), Dr. Umar Gwandu, stated these during the 2021 annual public lecture in New York organised by the Centre for Media and Peace Initiative, New York, United States of America, Monday.

According to him, being an Africa Union Champion in the fight against corruption, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has endeavoured under his regime to fight corruption in all its ramifications through legislative framework.

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He said that outstanding successes recorded by the regime in international asset recovery could be a template for other African countries in the fight against graft.

Malami said, “Various steps have been taken in terms of legislative frameworks, establishment of institutions and policy measures targeted at combatting corruption, regional cooperation and ensuring good governance for the benefit of citizens.

“In 2017, the signing of a trilateral agreement with Switzerland and the World Bank enabled the recovery of $322.515 million.

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“In 2020, a total sum of $311.7 million was returned to Nigeria after signing another trilateral agreement with the U.S.A and Bailiwick of Jersey.

“Also in the year 2020, 5.4 million Euros was recovered in March emanating from an agreement signed with Northern Island.

“The Federal Government was able to recover from the UK the sum of €4,214,017.66 connected to the family of James Ibori.

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“Additional recoveries to the tune of $200 million are being anticipated subject to the settlement of litigation of which the Ministry of Justice is attending to presently.”

Malami said the present regime was able to achieve the successes due to political will, funding, legislation, institutional support, and Executive Orders by President Buhari.

The Buhari’s approach to fight against corruption has been one of three cardinal pillars of our campaign promises, the others are economic and security development”, the minister said.

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He stressed that Nigeria had taken anti-corruption measures in tackling cybercrime, money laundering, oil bunkering and false assets declaration among others.

The AGF said that the Federal Government had developed the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and guidelines for smooth implementation of the strategy which has five pillars of prevention of corruption, public engagement, ethical re-orientation, enforcement and sanction, and recovery and management of proceeds of crime.

“I am pleased to inform this gathering that the Federal Government of Nigeria has recovered funds from corporate bodies and individuals through the combined efforts of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and our law enforcement agencies through local and international collaboration with international community and adoption of strategies put in place”, he said.

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The minister said that former state governors, senators and ministers including some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress were not spared in the fight against corruption.

Currently, high profile personalities including judicial officers and former governors indicted for corruption have been or are being prosecuted. We have some former top government officials convicted and serving various jailterms for corruption-related crimes while in office”, he said.

While arguing that the stance of Nigeria in the anti-corruption struggle has been adjudged to be recording tremendous success, Malami said that the position was upheld by credible International organisations including the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes.

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The minister said the consequential effects of the approach of the Buhari regime in the fight against corruption was reflective in the UNODC 2019 corruption survey report titled: “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and trends.”

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He said the report alluded to a decrease in bribery which was the bedrock of corruption and also established Nigeria’s leadership in the fight against corruption.

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The statement also quoted the 2019 UNODC report that “the efforts made to prevent and counter corruption in its various manifestations have earned Mr. President the role of the African Union’s anti-corruption champion. This survey is yet another example of Nigeria’s leadership in the fight against corruption and is testimony to the seriousness of purpose of the government’s anti-corruption agenda.”

Malami therefore called on Africans in both public and private sectors to aspire from the inspiration and understand that integrity pays above acquiring illegal monies from corrupt practices.

“I hereby reiterate Nigeria’s call for a strong institutionalised body that could join forces together with African countries to fight corruption. Collaboration in support for institutions, development of international and regional strategies and guidelines will go a long way in addressing the menace of corruption”, he said.

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Over 600 Pilgrims Hospitalised After Chlorine Gas Leaked In Iraq

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More than 600 pilgrims in Iraq were briefly hospitalised with respiratory problems after inhaling chlorine as the result of a leak at a water treatment station, authorities said on Sunday.

The incident took place overnight on the route between the two Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, located in the centre and south of Iraq, respectively.

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This year, several million Shiite Muslim pilgrims are expected to make their way to Karbala, which houses the shrines of the revered Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas.

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There, they will mark the Arbaeen — the 40-day period of mourning during which Shiites commemorate the death of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

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In a brief statement, Iraq’s health ministry said, “621 cases of asphyxia have been recorded following a chlorine gas leak in Karbala”.

All have received the necessary care and left the hospital in good health,” it said.

READ ALSO:Fire Guts Nigerian Pilgrims’ Hotel In Makkah

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Security forces charged with protecting pilgrims, meanwhile, said the incident had been caused by “a chlorine leak from a water station on the Karbala-Najaf road”.

Much of Iraq’s infrastructure is in disrepair due to decades of conflict and corruption, with adherence to safety standards often lax.

In July, a massive fire at a shopping mall in the eastern city of Kut killed more than 60 people, many of whom suffocated in the toilets, according to authorities.

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PHOTOS: US Soldier Searching For Her Nigerian Father

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Old photos of Zainab James Parents, Lateef Quadri and Claudine James. Credit: Facebook

A US soldier, Zainab James, has launched a public search for her Nigerian father, identified as Lateef Quadri

The 31-year-old took to Facebook on Sunday to share old photographs of her father and her late mother, Claudine James, including one where Claudine was pregnant with her.

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According to Zainab, her mother became pregnant in 1993, and she was born in 1994. Sadly, she lost her mother.

Old photos of Zainab James Parents, Lateef Quadri and Claudine James. Credit: Facebook

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In her post, Zainab wrote, “Update: Mother’s name : Claudine James, born Decenber 9, 1969 in Montego Bay, Jamaica (deceased) , Hey All! A real shot in the dark but why not! My mom(pictured) got pregnant with me in 1993 ( I was born 1994) while living in Brooklyn New York. I’m looking for my father or any of his family. All I know is he was Nigerian, possibly named Lateef Quadri or something like that. They didn’t have a long term relationship as he wasn’t present at my birth but he did choose my name. No one in my family met him either. Apparently she was friends with his sister who worked in a jewelry store with her.”

Old photos of Zainab James Parents, Lateef Quadri and Claudine James. Credit: Facebook

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FULL LIST: 13 More Cars Now Eligible For Up To £3,750 UK’s Electric Vehicle Grant

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The United Kingdom (UK) government has announced 13 additional cars that qualify for its new electric vehicle grant. None of them currently qualify for the full discount available.

According to a statement on the government’s website, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that from August 5, buyers can get £1,500 off four Citroën models – the Citroën ë-C3, ë–C4, ë-C5 and the ë-Berlingo. The discount will be applied automatically at purchase, with no extra paperwork required.

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These are the first models approved under the £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme. More vehicles are expected to be added in the coming weeks. The ECG allows carmakers to apply a discount at the point of sale for eligible electric vehicles that meet high sustainability standards.

The scheme is funded until the 2028–2029 financial year and aims to boost EV sales, support jobs, and attract investment.

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Since July 2024, over 17,300 public chargepoints have been installed in the UK — a 27% increase from last year — bringing the total to more than 82,000. The government plans to expand this to over 100,000 in the coming years, with a new chargepoint added roughly every 30 minutes.

Models from Renault, Nissan and Vauxhall are also now eligible for the £1,500 grant, although none meet the criteria for the full £3,750 discount yet as they are classified among the Band 2 cars. Nissan believes its new Leaf, to be built in Sunderland, may qualify for the higher grant, but this is not confirmed.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the grant, a vehicle must:
Be an M1 passenger vehicle
Produce 0g CO₂/km at the tailpipe

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Have a minimum range of 100 miles (160 km)
Include a 3-year or 60,000-mile warranty (whichever comes first)

Be powered by a battery with an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty (whichever comes first)

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Meet minimum sustainability standards

Cars Eligible for EV grants
Nissan

Micra – Based on the Renault 5 with some design changes, sharing the same motors and batteries. Starting price after the grant is under £22,000.

Ariya – Electric SUV with a spacious interior. Nissan plans to reduce the price to qualify for the grant.

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Leaf – The new model offers up to 375 miles of range. Nissan expects it may qualify for the full grant.

Renault & Alpine

Renault 5 – Compact hatchback priced under £23,000 before the grant.
Renault 4 – Larger and roomier than the Renault 5, starting at £27,000.
Renault Megane – Modern design with Google-based infotainment. Prices start at £32,500.
Renault Scenic – Family-sized EV with up to 381 miles of range. Starts at £35,495 after the grant.
Alpine A290 – Performance-focused version of the Renault 5.

READ ALSO:UK Opens Application For Chevening Scholarships

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Vauxhall

Corsa Electric – Small hatchback with potential savings beyond the grant.
Combo Life Electric – Practical MPV with a spacious interior.
Astra Electric – Family car available in hatchback or estate form.
Mokka Electric – Compact SUV with distinctive styling.
Frontera Electric – Affordable SUV with a large boot.
Grandland Electric – Larger family SUV with a lower price than some competitors.

Citroën

ë-C3 – Compact EV priced from £20,600 after the grant.

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ë-C3 Aircross – Larger version of the ë-C3 with more boot space.
ë-C4 – Alternative to the VW ID.3 with a simpler interior layout.
ë-C4 X – Saloon-style version of the ë-C4.
ë-C5 Aircross – Flagship SUV arriving in the UK in October 2025.
ë-Berlingo – Large electric MPV with a focus on practicality.

The government has confirmed more models from other manufacturers will be added to the scheme as they are approved.

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