Trial of those who stole national resources to begin in weeks- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his government will in a few weeks commence the prosecution of persons who have stolen national resources.
He also said those who stole the funds will not only return it, but will face trial in Nigeria.
A statement issued by the Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina at the end of the closed door meeting between the President and the committee, said it was time the country broke the vicious cycle of corruption and impunity so as to make progress.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the National Peace Committee led by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in the Presidential Villa, President Buhari declared that his administration was irrevocably committed to doing all within its powers to break the cycle of corruption, unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria.
“Nigeria has to break this vicious cycle before we can make progress,” the President said, adding that his administration was diligently gathering facts and figures pertaining to the nation’s stolen funds, before proceeding to the prosecution of identified culprits.
The Peace Committee had earlier told journalists at the Presidential Villa  that they were not averse to the President’s corruption crusade but concerned about the process it was carried out.
President Buhari had also during the meeting told General Abdulsalami and members of his committee that the Federal Government, under his watch, will not only ask for the return of stolen funds that have been stashed in foreign banks, but will also ensure that those who stole the funds are put on trial in Nigeria.
The President also said that as part of its actions to address the national problems it inherited, his administration is reorganizing the country’s revenue generating institutions.
Buhari had also explained that a single treasury account had been established for all Federal revenue to ensure greater probity, transparency and accountability in the collection, disbursement and utilisation of national funds.
“We have really degenerated as a country. Our national institutions, including the military, which did wonderfully on foreign missions in the past, have been compromised. But we are doing something about it. The military is now retraining and morale has been resuscitated.
“As Petroleum Minister under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo  in the 1970s, I could not travel abroad until I had taken a memo to the Federal Executive Council asking for estacode. Now, everybody does what he wants.
“That is why security-wise and economically, we’re in trouble,” President Buhari told the committee adding that those who have stolen the national wealth “will be in court in a matter of weeks and Nigerians will know those who have short-changed them.”
Gen. Abubakar and members of his committee  urged the Federal Government to be guided by the rule of law in its fight against corruption.
Members of the National Peace Committee who accompanied Gen Abubakar on the visit were Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of  Nigeria (CAN) and  Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.
Others were Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), Prof Ameze Guobadia, Vanguard Newspaper Publisher, Sam Amuka, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Senator Ben Obi, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, and Dr Arthur-Martin Aginam.
The National Peace Committee, formed before the 2015 general elections,  was granted  permission by the President to transform to a National Peace Council.