By Nkechi Eze
The African Asset Recovery Practitioners Forum, AARP, has charged African countries to join hands in forging a road map and actionable processes against resource theft and asset recovery on the continent.
Dele Oyewale the commission’s spokesperson in an official signed statement disclosed that this charge was given at the ongoing inaugural meeting of the Forum in Nairobi, Kenya with the theme: “Supporting Efforts of African Union Member States to Effectively Implement the Common African Position on Asset Recovery, CAPAR.
In his remarks, the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, EACC, Mr. Abdi Mohamud observed that though Africa has been a victim of resource theft, it has the blame for such losses for often aiding the external thieves. “We should collectively change the narrative and fight to get our stolen assets,” he said.
While urging the continent to take a strong stance against resource theft and speak with one voice against the scourge, he regretted that the global anti-money laundering watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force, FATF would list African countries which are at the receiving end of resource pillage on its Grey-List, while the thieving foreign nations are given a clean bill of health.
He further called for proper application of repatriated assets and encouraged African countries to ensure that public office holders are held accountable and subjected to forfeiture of unexplained wealth.
In her opening remarks, Chairperson, African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption , AUABC, Hon. Seynabou Diakhate Ndiaye, stated that it was a new dawn for both anti-corruption fight and stolen asset recovery in Africa, noting that the commitment of the Forum was critical to the implementation of the Common African Position in Asset Recovery, CAPAR.
On his part, the Interim Chairman of the Forum and the Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Dr Musa Aliyu, while highlighting the challenges illicit financial flows posed to Africa, noted that the need to fight the scourge and facilitate asset recovery was the driving force behind the Forum.
The highlight of the event was the signing of AARP charter, being its operational guiding instrument by anti-corruption agencies, asset recovery institutions and prosecution institutions from 31 participating African countries, which included Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and ICPC.
In addition to the participating African countries, African Development Bank, AFDB, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, Civil Society Forum for Asset Recovery among others were in attendance.
The three-day event which began on Tuesday, 15 April 2025 will wind up on Thursday April 17, 2025.
Aisha Mohammed, Head of EFCC’s Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit represented the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.
