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Written question asked by Baroness Cox (Crossbench) on Thursday, 23 June 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 July 2022. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 July 2022 on behalf of the Home Office.

Proceeds of Crime: Nigeria

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 8 June (HL408), what steps they will take to ensure that the total sum of the Abacha loot will not end up in the hands of criminals.

Answer

The UK is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and places great importance on the recovery and return of the proceeds of corruption.

The UK is mindful of its obligations under international law, including UNCAC, and the principles for transparent and accountable asset return which were endorsed at the Global Forum for Asset Recovery in 2017.

In January 2022, the UK published its first ever Framework for Transparent and Accountable Asset Return, which applies across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The purpose of the Framework is to ensure consistency, transparency and accountability in the UK’s process for returning assets.

When returning funds, the UK will always sign a case-specific agreement with the relevant country detailing the steps that the recipient Government will take to ensure the funds are put to their intended use.

All agreements which oversee the return of funds abroad are published on gov.uk

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1230
Session
2022-23
Related items
Proceeds of Crime: Nigeria
Wednesday, 8 June 2022
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Proceeds of crime Nigeria Abacha, Sani
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk