Sen. Christopher Coons of the US shaking hands with Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that it has reached out to the United States to assist the country with the repatriation of proceeds of crime and corruption.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the disclosure while speaking to a delegation of the US Congress who paid him a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa on Monday.

According to a statement released by Laolu Akande, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Prof. Osinbajo said the assistance of the United States was required to ensure that dubious and corrupt government officials and private individuals do not use the US as a safe haven for their loot.

“We have reached out to the US government with respect to helping us with the repatriation of proceeds of crime and proceeds of corruption,” Osinbajo was quoted as saying.

The Vice President was also reported as telling the delegation that the current administration under President Muhammadu Buhari regarded corruption as an existential threat that must be wholesomely dealt with from its root, adding that the cooperation of both countries to that effect was already yielding positive results.

Leader of the delegation of the US Congressmen, Democratic Senator Christopher Coons said their visit was to reaffirm and strengthen the relationship with Nigeria and learn more about the ongoing challenges in terms of security, health and development facing the country.

Senator Coons further revealed that the delegation made up of senators and House of Representatives members from both the Republican and Democratic parties, was also in the country to celebrate the opportunities, the entrepreneurship and energy of the various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.