Delta State Government on Tuesday reacted to the announcement by the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice Abubakar Malami that the British government has paid the £4,214,017.66 looted funds recovered from family members and associates of former Delta State governor James Ibori.
Malami said the loot has been credited into the designated Federal Government account with naira equivalent as of May 10, 2021.
The outgoing Delta commissioner for information Charles Aniagwu told reporters that the state was in touch with the Federal Government, adding “I believe it would do the needful as a father.”
The state government had stood behind Ibori, saying the ex-governor did not steal state funds. It, however, argued that the Federal Government ought to send back the money to Delta.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has dissolved the state executive council and sacked the secretary to the state government, his chief of staff, special advisers and chief strategist.
According to Aniagwu, the commissioners have been directed to hand over to the permanent secretaries in the respective ministries.
He said: “All special advisers including the chief strategist, the SSG and the political adviser are to hand over to the next person in the line.
“The governor, before announcing the dissolution of the council, thanked everybody including those who have been there for the past six years and those who joined two years ago for their contributions.”
He noted that the dissolution would also create opportunity for other persons to become members of the cabinet to make their contributions to the development of the state.
The outgoing commissioner said that the council also approve N2.8 billion for the upgrade of the three newly established universities in the state.
