The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar on Monday called the UN to assist Nigeria retrieve funds stolen from the country and stacked abroad by corrupt public officials.

Sa’ad made the call at a forum on democracy, human rights and countering violent extremism as part of activities lined up for the visit of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon in Abuja.

He urged the UN to urge member states to use the necessary instruments to mobilise funds that had been stacked away in foreign banks by previous administrations.

“You (Mr. Ban Ki-moon) are here in our country because you believe in Nigeria and in the present government.

“How can you use your office to bring back all the monies stolen from this country and stacked in foreign banks?

“Corruption is the foundation of all bad governance and crimes being committed across the world. It is important to have corruption checked.

“Please, see how you can urge those countries to bring back such monies.”

The Sultan urged that the perpetrators of terrorist acts should be punished as criminals to promote peace globally.

He said that perpetrators of violent act who used religion as a cover to carry out such acts should be viewed as criminals and extremists and not as Islamic extremists.

“There is no problem between Islam and Christianity but there is a problem between Christians and Muslims in certain places.

“Those few elements among us must be looked at as criminals and extremists not just Islamic extremists and should be dealt with in that manner.

“If we do that across the world, there will be peace between individuals we come across.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Sultan of Sokoto, Alj. Sa’ad Abubakar