The Presidency has revealed the reason why the funds alleged to be recovered from looters of the nation’s treasury cannot be made public just yet.

Speaking to the press, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said that until the funds are used as evidence in court against the people it was recovered from, the government could not disclose the funds to the public yet.

Garba stated that while the presidency has every intention of the making the recovered funds public, it cannot do so until the funds have been presented before a judge as exhibits against the looters.

He revealed that the money however, is in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He said: “The issue of how much has been returned has been there. The money retrieved has to be used as evidence in court. The President said two things; we will recover and we will prosecute. So as it now, you don’t go and bring all these millions returned out.”

“I am aware that there is an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where some of these funds are been kept and are evidences for a judge to see. It is not for public display. I think that is the challenge we have at the moment.”

Garba also said that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo will soon commence town hall meetings in a bid to explain government policies and decisions to the people.

He said: “I know that there is a plan for Professor Osinbajo, the Vice President to start Town Hall meetings in zones and then it would be broken down to the state and so on. Government realises that there is a need to take information to the people and there are steps that are been taken in order to ensure that is done”.

Adebayo Emuleomo