By: Femi Mustapha
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has launched a two-day workshop in Abuja to establish an independent civil society monitoring framework for the $52.8 million Galactica/Diezani assets restitution.
In his welcome address, ANEEJ’s Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in managing recovered assets, citing Nigeria’s past experiences as valuable lessons.
Rev. Ugolor explained that the workshop aims to conduct a baseline assessment and establish a monitoring framework to ensure the effective use of the recovered funds for national development.
The funds, linked to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, are earmarked for the expansion of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project and for capacity-building initiatives for practitioners in the criminal justice sector.
Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro, a representative from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), commended ANEEJ for its commitment to transparency and accountability, highlighting the UK’s partnership with Nigeria in combating illicit finance. He emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing recovered assets to enhance citizens’ lives and urged participants to establish a robust monitoring framework to ensure accountability and transparency.
The Federal Ministry of Justice, represented by the Asset Recovery and Management Unit, expressed its commitment to transparency and accountability in managing the Galactica assets. The ministry acknowledged the critical role of civil society organizations in promoting accountability and citizen oversight, referencing the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 (POCA).
This workshop is part of ongoing efforts to implement POCA and ensure that recovered assets are used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of Nigerians. The Galactica funds are expected to contribute to Nigeria’s development, particularly in the energy sector, while also supporting capacity-building initiatives.
Rev. Ugolor welcomed participants and thanked the FCDO for funding the initiative, reaffirming ANEEJ’s commitment to accountability in asset recovery. The workshop is anticipated to produce a practical and sustainable monitoring framework that enhances public confidence in Nigeria’s asset recovery process.
The ministry noted that the remaining $50 million is undergoing internal processes with the World Bank before being utilized for the DARES program. Nigeria has agreed to involve civil society organizations in managing the Galactica assets, aligning with the objectives of the POCA and the principles of the Global Initiative for Asset Recovery (GIFAR).
The Asset Recovery Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice recognized the critical role of civil society organizations in promoting accountability and citizen oversight. This workshop aims to strengthen evidence-based monitoring, enhance transparency, and ensure the efficient utilization of the Galactica restitution assets for the benefit of Nigerians.
Overall, the workshop is expected to yield a practical and sustainable monitoring framework, further enhancing public confidence in Nigeria’s asset recovery process. Both ANEEJ and the Federal Ministry of Justice reiterated their commitment to collaboration and transparency in managing recovered assets, promoting accountable recovery and management of the Galactica funds.
