Stolen funds won’t be laundered through our banks – USOpen link in new tab

Stolen funds won’t be laundered through our banks – US

The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper

The United States has offered technical assistance and training for investigators and prosecutors to empower them to track and recover stolen monies from Nigeria.


America pledged that it would ensure that no stolen funds are laundered through its banking system.
The US ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, who said this during the 239th US Independence celebration on Saturday in Abuja, also stated that his country would support the growth of Nigerian power sector by assisting companies to build more electricity infrastructure, especially, environmentally-friendly power generation.

The envoy said America had continued to maintain a robust engagement in Nigeria for many years, noting that the US partnership with Nigeria “runs deep.”

According to him, the two countries have over the years worked together on a host of issues—on elections, security, the Niger Delta, fighting infectious disease, and spurring broad-based, inclusive economic growth, among others.

Entwistle stated that he cannot wait to see what Nigerians can do and what America can do with the nation for freedom from fear, want, sickness, and freedom from corruption.
He said, “As you fight corruption, we offer technical assistance, training for investigators and prosecutors, and a commitment to ensure that no stolen funds are laundered through our banking system.

“As you improve the business climate, we encourage trade and investment.
“As you continue privatization of your power grid, through President Obama’s Power Africa initiative we stand ready to, among other things, help companies invest in building more electricity infrastructure, especially environmentally-friendly power generation.

“As you increase your commitment to healthcare and education, we support those efforts too.”
Entwistle stated that the future of Nigeria belongs to the people and more specifically, to men and women who are brave enough to believe that they can change the world, stressing that the US stands with every Nigerian who believes that the country can be healthier, safer, and more prosperous.

The ambassador promised that America would fulfill the commitment in its Declaration of Independence made 239 years ago, which is to treat all of humanity, in peace, as friends.
He pledged that the US would not stop assisting Nigeria in its fight against the violent Boko Haram sect.

“As you fight Boko Haram and secure and rebuild the North-East, we will continue to help in every appropriate way. As you lead the effort to provide humanitarian aid to those driven from their communities and help them return home, we assist with food, medical care, and education programmes,” he promised.

Entwistle celebrated the heroism of the 56 men who signed the American Declaration of Independence, and risked their lives, property and reputations “because they believed they could make the world a better place.”