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Nigerian gov't says prosecution of 55 corrupt officials underway

Xinhua, January 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Nigeria has commenced the prosecution of at least 55 officials indicted in looting cases while serving in past cabinets, the government said Monday.

Nigeria's minister of information Lai Mohammed told a press conference in Abuja that records showed at least the sum of 6.72 billion U.S. dollars, more than a quarter of last year's national budget, were allegedly stolen by the officials who served the country between 2006 and 2013.

The government said, however, part of the money stolen so far have been recovered from or returned by the looters.

Among past government officials standing trial in the corruption cases include 15 former governors, four former ministers, 12 public servants at federal and state levels, the Nigerian government said.

Aside the ongoing prosecution of 55 former officials, Nigeria is also investigating the fraud suspected in the arms procurement fund, of more than 2 billion U.S. dollars, which was allegedly diverted into accounts of individuals instead of what it was meant for.

Since taking office in May 2015, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has launched a crackdown on endemic graft.

The Nigerian government said the war against corruption was being fought to save the country from anarchy rather than "witch-hunting" as being speculated by the nation's opposition party.

The executive arm of government said it is looking up to the judiciary to speed up the pending cases of corruption. Endit