The British Government is to return to Nigeria �16,598,000 remaining part of the looted funds of the former governors of Bayelesa and Plateau states, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Joshua Dariye, when the funds are freed by the Britsh court.
A statement from the British High Commission in Abuja said that the fund would be in addition to the earlier �1.13m of stolen assets returned to Nigeria authorities since 2006.
According to the breakdown of the yet-to-be-returned stolen loot, �198,000 is from one Joyce Oyebanjo who is currently serving a three-year jail term in Britain.
She was convicted in May 2007 of laundering the proceeds of the former Plateau state governor Dariye�s and has until May 2008 to pay back the money to the Nigerian Government.
The other is �1.4million assets initially seized by the Metropolitan Police in Febr-uary 2005.
Also due for repatriation to the Nigerian Government in due course is �15 million currently seized in relation to assets of former Bayeslsa state governor, Alamieyeseigha, which is currently being pursued in British civil court.
Last September, �130,000 being part of Dariye�s loot was returned to the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the federation by the British authorities.
Dariye, however, cried out that those harbouring the money might have looted part of his loot, but the British authorities quickly clarified, saying the balance was still with her.
In July 2006, �1million of Alamieyeseigha was handed over to the former Nigeria High Commissioner to Britain, Dr. Christopher Kolade, at the Nigeria House at the New Scotland Yard.
Dariye had jumped bail and returned to Nigeria, while the former Bayelsa state governor also escaped from detention in mysterious circumstances.
Alamieyeseigha who regained freedom recently following a plea bargain that saw him convicted, claimed that the British authorities aided his escape but the British High Commission in Nigeria immediately refuted the statement.
Oct242007