US takes control of Abacha loot

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US Justice Department said Thursday it had won legal control of nearly a half-billion dollars worth of corrupt gains hidden in bank accounts by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha.

Abacha

The department said a court judgment on Wednesday gave it title to more than $480 million that Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, and associates had embezzled and placed in accounts in Jersey, England, Ireland and France.

That took US authorities one step closer to eventually repatriating the money, only a portion of the billions allegedly stolen by Abacha, to Nigeria.

The US is still seeking control over another four Abacha-tied investment portfolios in Britain containing $148 million.

Based on the court judgement, the department will seek to have authorities in those four jurisdictions order banks to transfer the money to it, on the basis that the corrupt funds were originally moved through the US financial system.

“General Abacha and others systematically embezzled billions of dollars in public funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria on the false pretense that the funds were necessary for national security,” the justice department said.

“The conspirators withdrew the funds in cash and then moved the money overseas through US financial institutions.”

An army general deeply involved in Nigerian politics since the 1960s, Abacha ousted a transitional government in 1993 and assumed the role of head of state until he suddenly died in June 1998.

Assistant Attorney General Caldwell branded Abacha’s theft “brazen acts of kleptocracy” aided by his son Mohammed and his former associate and still-prominent politician Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said it was not clear how long it would take to take possession of the funds and give them back to Nigeria.

“Our goal is to repatriate the recouped funds for the benefit of the Nigerian people,” he said.

Viewed 1 times
US takes control of Abacha loot

Presidency clears Abacha money laundering scandal to contest for Kano governorship election

Kano— The Presidency may have finally cleared the coast for Mohammed Abacha, the son of late General Sani Abacha, to join forces with pro Jonathan supporters and win back Kano State for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, next year.

Competent sources toldVanguard that Wednesday’s withdrawal of the N446.3 billion money laundering charge against Abacha was aimed at giving him a clean bill to be able to run as PDP gubernatorial candidate in the next election.

A close associate of the family admitted, yesterday, that the Abachas were very excited about the withdrawal of the case against Mohammed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, and that he would likely proceed with his gubernatorial campaign programme.

Some well wishers were also said to have stopped by on Wednesday and yesterday to congratulate Abacha and sympathise with him over his lingering trial by the government.

A top source in Kano explained, yesterday, that the Presidency, which considers Mohammed Abacha as one of the most influential young politicians in Kano, had primed him to challenge the rising political clout of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and secure victory for PDP in 2015.

Political structure

The Presidency, it was further learnt, believes that it was the solid political structure put in place by Mohammed Abacha that secured victory for Kwankwaso, who defected to APC last year.

The governor, who is said to be nursing a presidential ambition on APC’s platform, is, however, facing severe opposition from the Presidency particularly, after installing the former Central bank of Nigeria, CBN’s Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as Emir of Kano, against the wish of the Presidency and his party, which reportedly preferred a different person.

The feeling in the Presidency is that with the appointment of the former Kano governor, Ibrahim Shekaru as a minister and the quashing of the charge against Abacha, it would be possible for them to whittle Kwankwanso’s political influence and make PDP take over Kano in the next election.

Campaign posters emerge

In preparation for the takeover of the mantle of power by Abacha, his giant, colourful and intimidating campaign posters have been placed by the side of the Kano State PDP Secretariat along New Court Road, Jedi Jedi Quarters of Kano metropolis in addition to opening of his campaign office along Audu Bako Way, also in the city.

Adorning the big office are the posters of Mohammed, President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.

A Kano politician described Mohammed Abacha as someone who enjoys a very “smooth rela-tionship and support of the youths of the town” and also has a deep understanding of the politics of the state.

The politician said: “Let me tell you, the junior Abacha enjoys the support of the people and also has a good working relationship with Shekarau.” (Vanguard)

Viewed 1 times
Presidency clears Abacha money laundering scandal to contest for Kano governorship election

Okonjo-Iweala reveals Real reason Nigeria dropped N100 billion stolen funds charge against Abacha

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday constituted an inter-ministerial committee to manage the €167 million (about N36 billion) expected to be returned to Nigeria from the government of the Principality of Liechtenstein as part of the looted funds recovered from the Abacha family.

Tax, Federal Government, Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria economy

The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, confirmed on Thursday in Abuja that Nigeria would receive the recovered funds, latest, by June 25. She also explained that the federal government withdrew the N100 billion stolen funds charges against Mohammed Abacha, son of Sani Abacha, to ease the return of the N36 billion.

Sani Abacha was Nigeria’s military dictator from 1993 to 1998 and is believed to have looted billions of dollars of Nigeria’s funds while in power.

To ensure that the recovered money was put into the best use to the benefit of all Nigerians, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said the President had directed the committee to immediately identify the best projects and programmes to invest the funds on.

She said the World Bank would also be involved in the process towards effective utilisation of the recovered money.

“We can confirm that Nigeria will on June 25, 2014 receive the sum of Euro 167 million ($227 million), about N36.32 billion from the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein, part of looted funds recovered from the Abacha family,” the Minister said through her Special Adviser on Media, Paul Nwabuikwu.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said the President has also directed that part of the funds be saved for the future generation In line with the agreement reached with the Principality of Liechtenstein. She also said the World Bank will assist in monitoring the utilization of the funds on specific projects.

The Minister celebrated the return of the funds as a major achievement of the government from its over 16-year effort.

She said the President, working with her, the Attorney General of the Federation, Muhammad Adokie; and the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, made the recovery of the loot possible.

The return of the funds, she said, was however delayed by the suit instituted at the European Court of Human Rights, ECHR by companies owned by the Abachas, alleging an infringement of their rights to a fair trial and to the peaceful enjoyment of their possessions.

To demonstrate government’s commitment to retrieving the funds, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said Mr. Adoke had, on behalf of the government, filed a suit against Mohammed Abacha before the Abuja High Court.

She said as part of the negotiations to expedite the recovery of the funds, the Abachas had agreed to discontinue their suit before the ECHR, while the Federal Government equally decided to withdraw the case against him.

Under the deal, the government’s lawyer, Daniel Enwelum, told the court that Mr. Adoke had asked him to withdraw the nine-count charge against Mohammed over alleged receipt of stolen property worth N100.38 billion.

The money to be recovered from Liechtenstein is different from the $458 million stolen Abacha loot that the U.S. froze and the federal government wants returned.

However, a cross section of the human rights community has described then decision to trade away about N100 billion for about N36.32 billion as another demonstration of government’s insensitivity and lack of commitment to fighting corruption in Nigeria.

The Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, Eze Onyekpere, described the deal as the most absurd style of plea bargaining, which would encourage impunity, corruption and stealing of public funds by the country’s leaders.

“It does not make sense at all. How can one steal about N446 billion and government is accepting only N36.32 billion to discontinue the case against the culprit? What government is getting is not even up to one-tenth of what was stolen and a case is withdrawn against him.

“It is the easiest way to steal money from the system. It shows how unseriously government takes the fight against corruption.”

For a Lagos based lawyer, Kayode Adaramoye, though the Attorney General had the powers to discontinue with any case at any point, the government’s action on Abacha’s loot is undesirable for Nigeria’s development.

“The action of the Federal Government is like patting corruption on the back and a proof that the administration is not sincere about the fight against corruption. It is rather sad that all these are happening in a country that has all the potentials to make its people amongst the best catered for in terms of socio-economic wellbeing,” he said.

The National President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Wale Ajani, described the Nigerian government’s action as very unfortunate and one that would show the international community that the present administration was not serious about the fight against corruption.

Mr. Ajani said that there was no justification for any government to allow anybody that had stolen from the nation’s wealth to go scot free, particularly when such despicable acts have continued to aggravate the socio-economic plights of ordinary Nigerians.

Viewed 1 times
Okonjo-Iweala reveals Real reason Nigeria dropped N100 billion stolen funds charge against Abacha

FG withdraws charges against Mohammed Abacha over money laundering

ABUJA—The Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, yesterday, withdrew the money laundering charge preferred against the eldest son of the late military dictator, Mohammed Abacha.

Mohammed was accused of concealing the sum of N446.3 billion allegedly stolen from the national treasury between 1995 and 1998.

He was said to have received the stolen money from his late father, General Sani Abacha, and hid same. On two different occasions, Mohammed failed to appear before the court to enter his plea to the charge.

The accused person, on April 10, told the court that he could not take his plea because he was not duly served with a copy of the charge and proof of evidence against him, a situation that led to the adjournment of the matter.

On April 29 when the case came up for arraignment, Mohammed also failed to appear before the court on the ground of ill-health, though his lawyer begged the court to adjourn the case for two weeks to enable him attend his trial.

At the resumed sitting yesterday, the prosecutor, Mr. D.C Enwelum, told the court that the AGF directed him to withdraw the charge.

“I have been instructed by the Attorney General of the Federation to withdraw the charges as currently filed before this court.

“My Lord, he said there are fresh facts/documents available to him that would necessitate the termination of this proceeding.

“In the circumstance, he instructed me to file a notice of withdrawal without prejudice to future cause of action that may be taken by his office.  I humbly apply to withdraw the charges accordingly,” Enwelum added.

He, therefore, urged the court to okay the notice of withdrawal,dated June 17.

Sequel to a ‘no objection’ stance by Mohammed’s lawyer, Mr. Abdullahi Haruna who further prayed the court to discharge his client, Justice Valentine Ashi, struck out the charge.

Specifically, government had alleged that Mohammed “dishonestly received stolen property and voluntarily assisted in concealing money.”

The federal government  had maintained that the charge which was withdrawn yesterday, replaced an earlier 121 criminal counts, in which Mohammed was sued alongside his alleged accomplice, Atiku Bagudu.

Besides, the government had in the subsequent charge, excluded Bagudu from trial with an indication that he was among those billed to testify against Mohammed.

According to the withdrawn charge marked CR 21-24/2008, the stolen money allegedly received by Mohammed, included 141,100,000 pound sterling and 384,353,000 US dollars, made up of cash and travellers cheques.

In count one, Mohammed was alleged to have between August and December 1995 at Abuja, dishonestly received $36,480,000.00 made up of cash and travellers cheques property of the Federal Government, believed to have been stolen.

Count two alleged that Mohammed, between August and December 1995 at Abuja, voluntarily assisted in concealing $57,960,000.00 believed to have been stolen from the Federal Government.

Moreso, Mohammed was in count three alleged to have between October and December 1996 at Abuja, dishonestly received $26,913,500.00 believed to have been stolen from the Federal Government.

The prosecution alleged in count four that Mohammed, within the same time, voluntarily assisted in concealing $26,913,500.00 allegedly stolen from the Federal Government.

In count five, he was alleged to have sometime in June 1997 in Abuja dishonestly received $10,000,000.00 believed to have been stolen from the Federal Government. He was, in count six, said to have, between February and December 1997 dishonestly received $87,000,000 and 41,143,000 pound sterling believed to have been stolen from the Federal government.

The federal government also accused him of dishonestly receiving, between January and August 1998,  $167,000,000 and 99,957,000 pound sterling.

 

Viewed 1 times
FG withdraws charges against Mohammed Abacha over money laundering

Mohammed Abacha faces 9 new charges

ABUJA— The Federal Government, yesterday, entered fresh nine-count criminal charge against the eldest son of the late military dictator, Mohammed Abacha, following allegation that he unlawfully hid  about N446.3 billion allegedly stolen from the national treasury between 1995 and 1998.

Mohammed was accused of receiving the stolen money from his late father, General Sani Abacha, and concealed same.

Specifically, the Federal Government alleged that Mohammed “dishonestly received stolen property and voluntarily assisted in concealing money.”

The charge, according to government, replaced an earlier 121 criminal counts in which Mohammed was sued alongside one of his alleged accomplice,  Atiku Bagudu.

The government excluded Bagudu in the fresh charge, even as Vanguard investigations yesterday revealed that FG intend to use him as a witness against Mohammed.

According to the new charge marked CR.21 24/2008, the stolen money allegedly received by Mohammed, included 141,100,000 Pound Sterling and 384,353,000 US dollars, made up of cash and travellers cheques.

A private prosecutor, Mr. Daniel Enwelum, has been hired by the government to prosecute the case to its logical conclusion.

Meanwhile, attempt to arraign Mohammed before Justice Mamman Kolo of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory yesterday proved abortive owing to his absence.

Enwelum told the court that even when Mohammed had been served with the charge, with evidence to that effect contained in a sworn affidavit by the court’s bailiff, the accused person refused to present himself for arraignment.

He said the new charge against Mohammed was filed pursuant to Section 181 of the Criminal Procedure Code, CPC.

Enwelum urged the court to accept the fresh charge and deem the receipt of the charge by the defence lawyer on behalf of the accused person, as proper service.

He said Mohammed’s lawyer, Abdulllahi Haruna had received the charge on his behalf.

However, Haruna told the court that Mohammed was absent owing to the fact that he was yet to receive a copy of the fresh charge.

He, therefore, urged the court to adjourn the case to a further date to enable his client to appear for arraignment.

Meantime, counsel to Bagudu, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), urged the court to grant an order discharging his client from the charge in view of the prosecution’s decision to exclude him from the new charge.

The government did not oppose the application, even as Justice Kolo accordingly discharged the 2nd accused person, Bagudu.

Subsequently, the court, yesterday, fixed April 29 to take Mohammed Abacha’s plea.

 

Mohammed Abacha faces 9 new charges