The Presidency has yesterday opened up on why the cash recovered from probed corrupt officials has not been made public as yet.
The Presidential Spokesman speaking on the issue affirmed the Presidency’s stand, adding that as much as the President would have liked to be transparent in that department, it would not be possible for now as the recovered loots will be used as evidence against the corrupt officials in court.
The recovered fund however is said to be safely stashed in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s vault.
“The issue of how much has been returned has been there. The money retrieved has to be used as evidence in court. The President said two things; we will recover and we will prosecute. So, as it is now, you don’t go and bring all these billions returned out.
“I am aware that there is an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where some of these funds are being kept and are evidence for a judge to see. It is not for public display. I think that is the challenge we have at the moment.”
The Presidential spokesman also opened up on the government’s plan to reach the grassroots as he added that the Vice President will soon begin a series of town hall meetings to explain the government’s policies and actions. He added that the first convening of the town hall meetings will be on a Zonal level before breaking down into State capitals.
“Government realises that there is a need to take information to the people and there are steps that are being taken in order to ensure that this is done.”