According to an official, several people are still feared trapped in the debris
asia10 hours ago
Nigeria has sought a declaration of assets from its UAE-based officials, according to a report.
Sahara Reporters, an online news agency based in New York City, reported that Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has given the Nigerian embassy in the UAE until March 31 to compile a list of all current and former officials with assets in the country.
In a Sahara Reporters story published on January 22, the website claims to have been given a list of prominent Nigerians with assets in the UAE. Among the names included were that of former First Lady Patience Jonathan, former comptroller-general of customs Abdullahi Dikko, former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, and former attorney-general and minister for justice Mohammed Bello Adoke.
The websites notes that a source has informed them that many officials are using false names and offshore bank accounts to buy "swanky, high-priced homes" in the UAE.
The news comes less than a week after President Buhari met with His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to discuss ways in which to strengthen bilateral relations.
On the same day, UAE Minister of Justice Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi and his Nigerian counterpart Abubakar Malami signed four agreements, including an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal affairs and agreement on the extradition of criminal fugitives.
Since taking office at the end of May 2015, Buhari has vowed to recover what he has described as "mind-boggling" amounts of money stolen by officials of previous administrations.
Earlier in January, Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed claimed that 55 high-level officials stole $6.72 billion from Nigeria between 2006 and 2013.
"Using World Bank rates and costs, one-third of the stolen funds could have provided 635.18 kilometres of road, built 36 ultra-modern hospitals.built 183 schools, educated 3,974 children from primary to tertiary level at 25.24 million (Nigerian Naira) per child, and built 20,062 units of 2-bedroom houses," local newspapers quoted him as saying.
The Sahara Report story has won the praise from some Nigerians on social media.
"Buhari, keep going after our looters. Recover all and bring Nigeria back to the track of economic recovery," one man posted on Facebook. "Thieves hate you but honest Nigerians love you."
Others, however, expressed scepticism. "Are we still interested in this noise about "fighting corruption" even when Nigeria's economy is collapsing?" wrote another man.
The Nigerian Embassy did not return a Khaleej Times request for a comment on the Sahara Reporters story.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
According to an official, several people are still feared trapped in the debris
asia10 hours ago
Amateurs Afzaal Ahmad, Parvez Ahmed, and Arbaaz Ahmad shine with an Impressive 89-point performance at the Emirates Golf Club
sports10 hours ago
The Meteorological Organisation that it is closely monitoring what is being circulated on social media
mena11 hours ago
There have been a series of school fires in the country in recent years, many of them which have turned out to be arson
africa11 hours ago
Salama Alfalacy is into realistic art featuring landscapes and wildlife, while Meera Jamal Al Midfa is setting new grounds in performance art and filmmaking
arts12 hours ago
Dubai Police have asked drivers to be extra cautious
transport12 hours ago
The storm had already claimed the lives of at least two people in China's Hainan and 16 people in the Philippines
asia13 hours ago
Dubai Police have asked drivers to be extra cautious
transport13 hours ago