US Refuses to Release Abacha Loot

The United States (US) Government has laid claim to hundreds of millions of dollars stashed abroad by the government of the late military ruler, Sani Abacha.

The Americans allegedly told a court in an unnamed foreign country that it had an interest in the loot because it was saved in its currency, the US dollar.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and rights activist Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) made the claims yesterday in Lagos. Malami, guest speaker Falana, Chief Chairman, Special Investigative Panel on Assets Recovery Okoi Obono-Obla, among others, were participants in a seminar organized by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The seminar with the theme: Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Recovery of Stolen Assets in Nigeria: Proposals for Reform, was organized in collaboration with Ford Foundation, USA.

UCJ, UNILORIN.