In a move to ensure the effective recovery of over N5trillion being
outstanding debts owed the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria
(AMCON) by some Nigerians and companies, the Nigerian government has set
up a new task force to get the job done without fail.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, gave the indication during a
meeting with board members and management of AMCON and selected heads of
government agencies, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The agencies include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Independent
Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and also the Permanent Secretaries
of the Justice and Transport Ministries.
The force comprising Heads of AMCON, the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU),
the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Ministry of
Justice, will be working to develop and implement new strategies that
will ensure that the determination of the FG to recover the money is
speedily achieved.
Prof. Osinbajo said, all the relevant agencies have to re-strategize to achieve the desired results.
“The key is collaboration. We need a small team comprising these
agencies to look at the next steps that we need to take, especially the
criminal aspect, forfeiture, and all of that,” the VP directed.
He said the task force should look at the top 20 AMCON defaulters closely and develop a plan of action that brings results.
It would be recalled that the Vice President had previously in May
met with AMCON management to discuss how to resolve the issue.
According to the AMCON Chairman, Mr. Muiz Banire, SAN, almost 67 per
cent of the outstanding N5tn debt is owed by just 20
individuals/entities.
Banire noted that the agency had been “trying its best in its attempt
to recover this through the civil judicial process, but had encountered
several challenges.”
Also present at the meeting was the Acting Chairman of the EFCC,
Ibrahim Magu; Chairman, ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye; Director/Chief
Executive, NFIU, Mr. Modibbo Tukur; Permanent Secretary, Federal
Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari; and other senior government
officials.