By Kingsley Nwezeh
An Associate Fellow of Chatham House, London, Mr. Matthew Page, said yesterday that 800 property worth $400 million and owned by Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) in Nigeria were located in London and Dubai.
The revelation is coming as the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanonye, said it dragged about 2,000 corporate entities into the country’s tax net.
A statement issued by ICPC said Page made the disclosure in his paper presentation titled: “IFFs through the Real Estate and Education Sectors: Implications for Investigators,” at an event organised by the agency in Abuja.
ICPC investigators urged to track real estate and education-linked Illicit financial flows
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dragged about 2,000 corporate entities into the country’s tax net, the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, has revealed.
He made this known on Tuesday in Abuja while responding to questions from journalists at the end of a capacity building for ICPC investigators on investigating Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) held at the corporate headquarters of the commission.
Prof. Owasanoye disclosed that the 2,000 corporate entities were uncovered by investigations undertaken by the commission and their names have been forwarded to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for profiling.
Over 800 properties worth $400 million in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been traced to Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) in Nigeria.
Matthew Page, an associate fellow, Chatham House, said this while delivering a paper titled Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Real Estate and Education Sector: Implications for Investigators at a 2-Day Capacity Building for Investigators on Investigating IFFs organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Disclosing that 35 state governors have acquired a total of 69 properties, Page noted that five presidency staff members were controlling 13 properties, while 16 lawmakers are in possession of 45 properties.
According to the findings, 15 ministers have 25 properties, 158 suspected politicians’ proxies are in control of 226 properties, 14 security sector leaders 71, 50 PEP-linked business persons 91, 13 Known Nigerian law enforcement agency suspects 216, 16 heads of department and agency 25, 1
How 35 Former, Serving Governors Acquired 800 Properties Worth Over N152billion In Dubai
Some of those implicated include a North-West governor, two former Deputy Presidents of the Senate and a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
by Saharareporters, New York
Apr 28, 2021
No fewer than 35 past and present governors and 299 former office holders in Nigeria have been linked with multi-billion choice properties in London, UK and Dubai, UAE, it was learnt on Tuesday.
The persons were said to have spent over $400 million (over N152 billion) to acquire 800 properties in Dubai.
According to Nation, some of those implicated include a North-West governor, two former Deputy Presidents of the Senate and a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Nigerian politicians own 800 properties worth $400m in London, Dubai – Chatham House Expert
Matthew Page, an associate fellow of Chatham House, London, U.K., says education and real estate sectors provide opportunities for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) in Nigeria to launder money. 3 min read
Matthew Page, an associate fellow of London-based Chatham House, an international affairs think tank, has advised investigators to focus on real estate and education sectors, when tracking illicit financial flows and money laundering.
He gave the advice in a paper he presented entitled, ‘IFFs through the real estate and education sectors: Implications for Investigators’ at a virtual capacity building forum for investigators on investigating Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), on Tuesday.