The federal government has expressed concern over the non-restitution of looted funds stashed in foreign banks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama said the non-release of the funds, running into millions of dollars, is affecting the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.

A statement by the minister's media aide, Sarah Sanda, said Onyeama made the remark at the High Level Segment of the 34th Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Minister stressed that the non-restitution of the funds back to Nigeria is also affecting the socio-economic rights of the People to investible funds which should be used for development.

Onyeama also spoke about Nigeria's active role in the de-colonisation of the African Continent and the enthronement of basic rights and fundamental freedoms.

This, he said, led to the recent enthronement of Democracy in the Gambia as was earlier done in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau in addition to championing the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

He also expressed appreciation donor agencies and humanitarian organisations for their assistance to the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and countries in the Lake Chad region.

Onyeama told the council that the fighting capacity of Boko Haram has been degraded and defeated with the takeover of the Sambisa Forest, strong hold of the terrorists save for some sporadic isolated acts of terror often using young girls as human bombs.

The Minister also briefed on Nigeria's prison reform programme, the cleanup of Ogoniland which demonstrates national and global concern over the effect of pollution on the lives of the people of that area and the ecosystem.

Nigeria is currently a member of the council (2015-2017) having served two times previously (2006-2009 and 2009-2012), and was elected as the third President of the Human Rights Council from June 2008-June 2009. (Daily Trust)

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