By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA — A former member of the House of Representatives and National Commissioner at the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Hon. Johnson Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has appealed to the United States President, Donald Trump, to help Nigeria repatriate looted funds by corrupt Nigerian officials starched in American banks.

Agbonayinma, popularly known as EJ and former Chairman of US/Nigeria Parliamentary Committee in the House of Representatives between 2016 and 2019, said returning the looted funds would help create jobs for the Nigerian youths.

Recall that EJ had led a delegation of Nigerian legislators to the US at State Capitol, Washington DC, where he made a presentation to the US Congress regarding the stolen Crude Oil and Liquefied Natural Gas from Nigeria by the International Oil Companies, IOCs.

At the meeting where he was one of the initiators had in attendance the US Congressional Caucus Congressman Smith, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs-Africa,  Late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Co-Chairperson, Rep. Frederica Wilson (D),  Rep. Wicox (R) Rep. Darrel Isa (R) and Rep. Karren Bass (D)

Expressing confidence in the ability of President Trump to champion the return of stolen money by corrupt elements from Nigeria, EJ, who has dual citizenship, noted that the American president is known for fighting corruption.

Prior to the build-up to the US election last year, Hon. Agbonayinma, though a card carrying member of the Democratic Party, pitched his tent with the Republican, contending that the Republican government favoured Nigeria more than any other American government.

Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, he said: “I am appealing to President Donald Trump to help Nigeria government to ensure that looted funds by Nigerian political class that are in various banks in the US are repatriated to Nigeria.

“The money will help to create jobs for the youths and reduce vices among the young ones. Mr. Trump is known for his boldness in fighting corruption which is in sinc with President Bola Tinubu efforts to corruption in Nigeria.

“I campaigned and voted Donald Trump because the Republican government has been more beneficial to Nigeria than the Democrats,” the former member of the House of Representatives for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State said.

The former All Progressives Congress, APC governorship aspirant in the last election in Edo State, who has consistently championed the cause of nation-building, emphasizing unity, good governance, and sustainable development as key pillars for a prosperous Nigeria, is of the hope that if the looted money from Nigeria in different banks in the United States are returned to the country, it would impact positively on the economy.

As a dedicated leader and public servant, he has used his platform to advocate for policies that promote economic growth, social cohesion, and political stability.