The British government has paid Nigeria £4,214,017.66 in stolen funds recovered from former Delta State Governor James Ibori's family and associates.

As of May 10, the Federal Government's account was credited with the naira equivalent, according to Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN).

In a tweet, Malami's spokesman, Dr. Umar Gwandu, quoted the AGF as confirming receipt of the recovered loot.

“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Malami signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the repatriation of the Ibori loot,” he added.

According to Malami, the development "demonstrated the appreciation of Nigeria's credibility earned through records of management of recovered stolen Nigerians stolen in the execution of public-oriented projects."

When it was first revealed that the money would be returned, there was a dispute over who should obtain it.

Femi Falana (SAN), an activist-lawyer, believes the funds should be returned to Delta.

According to Falana, the Federal Government was unable to convert the money recovered due to local and international law.

Former Plateau and Bayelsa state governors Joshua Dariye and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha's repatriated funds were given to the states, he recalled.

“Since there is no question that the £4.2 million belongs to Delta State, the Federal Government cannot seize the fund and use it to repair the Kano-Abuja and Lagos-Ibadan roads under any law,” he said. Why not the Warri-Asaba highway?”