UNCA CoSP10: EFCC Calls For Urgent Recovery of Stolen Assets Abroad

Mayowa DurosinmiDecember 14, 20231 Mins read1.2k

UNIS Vienna

The UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) 10th Conference of the States Parties (CoSP 10) convened in Atlanta on December 11. CoSP is the largest anti-corruption conference in the world and the primary policymaking body of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. It adopts resolutions and decisions to advance the goals of the United Nations Convention against Corruption during its twice-yearly meetings.

In a press release on October 20, 2023, from the office of the spokesperson U.S. Department of State in conjunction with COSP on approval for media accreditation, invites the 190 states to the UNCAC, as well as a variety of stakeholders from around the world including representatives from international organizations, civil societies, young people and the private sector.

Whilst the conference is open to world delegates, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, who was in attendance, demanded the immediate and complete repatriation of any stolen Nigerian assets stashed abroad. He made a demand on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the ongoing 10th session of the Conference of State Parties, COSP, to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, UNCAC, held at the Georgia World Congress Centre, Atlanta, United States of America.

On anti-corruption, earlier in an address, the Nigerian Country Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Oliver Stolpe, applauded Nigeria on its asset recovery efforts, describing her as the “world’s champion in asset recovery”. “Nigeria in many ways has been leading the asset recovery efforts on the African continent, and I like to refer to Nigeria as the world’s champion in asset recovery because, certainly in African comparison, you have more cases and recovered large amounts”, he reiterated.