Nigerian Government Moves to Strengthen Laws for Stolen Artefact Recovery
The Nigerian government is taking steps to strengthen laws that facilitate the recovery of stolen artefacts into the country. This was revealed by the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, at the ongoing 6th annual general assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in Africa (NACIWA).
Olukoyede also announced plans to strengthen regional laws related to asset recovery. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the need for anti-corruption agencies in the region to collaborate more effectively to reduce corruption.
The meeting, themed “Implementing the ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight Against Corruption Towards Strengthening Institutions for Regional Unity,” brought together high-profile attendees, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, heads of anti-corruption agencies, representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The meeting comes on the heels of a recent development in which the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, took custody of two looted Royal stools from the German government. According to historical records, the artefacts – Bronze and wooden Royal stools (Ekete) – were made during the reign of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie several centuries ago and were looted from the Oba’s Palace during the punitive expedition in 1897.
The German authorities handed over the artefacts to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) on behalf of the Nigerian government on May 18, 2024, in Oba of Benin’s Palace, Benin City.
