Abuja, Nigeria – Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN yesterday acknowledged the crucial role placed by the Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice (ANEEJ), with the return of Abacha loot.

He gave this commendation in Abuja as keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) week. The Vice President’s words: “I acknowledge the role played by ANEEJ in the negotiation of the return of the Abacha Loot.”

In October 2017, ANEEJ organized a stakeholders meeting of CSOs, Government official and the diplomatic community to prepare ahead of the first Global Forum for Asset Recovery, in Washington DC, 2-4 December 2017.

At that meeting, the Federal Government of Nigeria signed a MoU with the Swiss government for the return of the $321 million Abacha loot. Post GFAR activities and events led to the actual return of the funds with an interest paid by the Swiss Government.

ANEEJ is co-chair of the Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery working group where it has worked assiduously to promote issues related to a register of Beneficial ownership of companies in Nigeria, Asset Recovery and utilization, synergy with the Anticorruption Agencies and general coordination of all anti-corruption activities in Nigeria.

ANEEJ has developed two programs, along with the OGP theme of innovation and technology, the PROPATI TRACKA and the DYNTRA INDEX as tools to drive transparency and accountability in governance.

Both programs seek to deepen accountability and transparency in property acquisition in Nigeria, and the use of 49 indicators to bring the Niger Delta Development Institutions closer to Niger Deltans.