The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, has emphasized the critical importance of transparency and openness in the management of assets recovered from perpetrators of economic crimes both within Nigeria and internationally.

Speaking at the opening of the Asset Recovery Summit held in Abuja on Tuesday, Jedy-Agba warned that the purpose of asset recovery would be undermined if repatriated funds are mismanaged or improperly allocated.

"Citizens have the right to know how recovered assets are being used, and we must establish reliable mechanisms for public reporting and oversight," she stated. "By institutionalizing clear asset utilization frameworks, we prevent misappropriation and ensure recovered funds serve the interests of national progress."

The Solicitor General highlighted the need to empower civil society organizations, journalists, and citizen-led initiatives to actively participate in tracking hidden wealth and advocating for responsible asset utilization. She described the summit as more than a policy discussion, calling it "a testament to our shared vision of a Nigeria where transparency, accountability, and the rule of law prevail."

Jedy-Agba also called for strengthening Nigeria's Whistleblower Policy to encourage information sharing and uncover undisclosed assets. She noted that Nigeria has recovered substantial funds over the years that had been unlawfully taken from the public trust, emphasizing that these assets hold immense potential for national development.

"Nigeria is at a crossroads where decisive action can reshape the asset recovery landscape," she remarked, calling for the strengthening of laws, policies, and processes to ensure that frameworks governing asset recovery remain robust and adaptive.

The Solicitor General expressed appreciation to several countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Bailiwick of Jersey, Ireland, Switzerland, and France for their continuing support and engagement in Nigeria's asset recovery efforts.

She emphasized that the fight against corruption and asset misappropriation transcends borders, highlighting Nigeria's collaboration with global enforcement bodies such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

According to Jedy-Agba, these international partnerships have been instrumental in tracking illicit financial flows, securing repatriations, and reinforcing international accountability mechanisms, which have enabled Nigeria to reclaim several stolen assets.

The Permanent Secretary called for steadfast commitment to building and leveraging strong alliances that safeguard Nigeria's financial integrity as the country continues its anti-corruption efforts.