Reformers in Nigeria have pleaded with David Cameron to prevent corrupt officials from laundering stolen money through Britain’s property market, private schools and upmarket shops.
In a stinging letter to the prime minister before his global anti-corruption summit in London, representatives of 95 reform groups have told him that he must get Britain’s house in order before he can lecture the rest of the world.
“Civil society in Nigeria is calling on you to take serious action to end the UK’s role as a safe haven for our corrupt individuals who steal our wealth for their own private gain,” the letter says.
The summit is due to take place on May 12 but, ironically for a meeting about greater transparency, few details have been confirmed of what will happen or where it will be held. Only one senior figure — John Kerry, the US secretary of state — has confirmed attendance.
President Buhari of Nigeria, who was elected on an anti-corruption platform, is one of about 50 world leaders believed to have been invited.
The groups warn Mr Cameron that Nigeria’s steps to tackle corruption are “undermined if countries such as your own are welcoming our corrupt to hide their ill-gotten gains in your luxury homes, department stores, car dealerships, private schools and anywhere else that will accept their cash, no questions asked”.
They add: “This summit is an opportunity for major financial centres to acknowledge the role they are playing in perpetuating corruption. It is ironic that the countries that pride themselves on their own lack of corruption are the very ones providing most of the corruption services to our corrupt officials.”
The Panama papers revealed a connection between the wife of Bukola Saraki, president of the Nigerian senate, and a property in Belgravia.
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