By Kassim Omomia
More facts have emerged at the ongoing investigative panel constituted by the House of Representatives on recovery of looted funds and assets

The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) formerly chaired by Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, today revealed that 60 billion US dollars allegedly owned by the Nigeria National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) domiciled in Texas, the United States of America was discovered by the panel before its disbandment.

The SPIP representative at panel revealed that notwithstanding the suspension of its former boss it made more discoveries

Recall that in August, 2019 President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the suspension of Mr. Obono-Obla following an allegation of certificate forgery.

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SPIP special prosecutor, Tosin Ojaomo further told the Ad-hoc Committee investigative panel on Recovery of Looted Funds, Movable and Immovable Assets for Effective Utilization and Management from 2002-2021, that another 223 million dollars belonging to NNPC was discovered in a new generation bank

He said when his panel asked the bank to return the money they pleaded that they should be allowed to return N10 million monthly.

According to Mr. Ojaomo, 86 exotic cars were also recovered from a director in a ministry.

Startled by the revelations, the Adejoro Adeogun led ad-hoc committee requested Mr. Ojaomo to submit his documents to the committee for further scrutiny while it ruled that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and Mr. Ojaomo reappear on Thursday.

Also grilled earlier by the probe panel were chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Mr. Abdullahi Bawa, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) Mr. Bolaji Owasanoye and the managing director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, (NSIA) Mr. Uche Orji.

Fielding answers to the panel, the ICPC boss said the anti-graft agency has no business with asset revenue account but with asset recovery account.

On how much recovery so far made by the commission, Mr. Owasanoye said as at today N2.1 billion is in the federation account.

“This amount is not for government to take from. We have the power to return money to victims”, he said.

Not convinced with the explanation, the probe panel therefore requested that ICPC provide it with the Naira, Dollar, Treasury Single Account (TSA) and commercial bank account details as they reappear Thursday.

On his part, the managing director, NSIA, Mr. Orji revealed that 311 million dollars received on 13th May, 2020 by the agency is still intact.

He further disclosed that 42 million pounds discovered in the United Kingdom and 5.5 million Euro discovered in Ireland are yet to be received adding that no money have been spent by the agency.

The Adeogun chaired panel however countered his claim on the 5.5 million Euro from Ireland by providing a letter that indicated that the amount has been sent to the agency.

However, the panel has ordered the reappearance of Mr. Orji and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami on Thursday.