Emerging report indicates that just days after the United States of America, USA, repatriated $311 million, allegedly stolen by a former Military Head of State of Nigeria, late Gen. Sani Abacha, the US has stated that there is a separate $319 million Abacha loot in the United Kingdom, UK, and France, awaiting repatriation.
The US Embassy in Nigeria, disclosed in a statement, on Wednesday, that there is $167 million in stolen assets in France, while there is a separate $152 million in the UK, which is being challenged in court.
“The funds returned last week, are distinct and separate from an additional $167 million in stolen assets, also forfeited in the United Kingdom and France, as well as $152 million still in active litigation in the United Kingdom.”
Bloomberg had reported that the repatriation of the $152 million (now $155 million, due to interest) to Nigeria, is being challenged by the UK and the US, because of alleged plans by the Nigerian government to give $110 million out of the money to the Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, a known Associate of late Abacha.
Nigeria is seeking the approval of a UK court to take ownership of the assets, before returning 70 percent of the proceeds to Bagudu, under the terms of a 2018 deal, according to Bloomberg.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), has however, denied ever entering a deal with Bagudu, but court papers say otherwise, reportedly.
More later…
