The UK government’s National Crime Agency has also joined in resisting the move by the Buhari Administration to hand $110 million (N41 billion) Abacha loot to the governor of Kebbi State Atiku Bagudu who was very close to the military dictator and part of his network that “embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria,” according to the US Department of Justice.
The Nigerian government is in a dispute with the US and the UK over investment portfolios worth an estimated $155 million traced to Abacha and held in trust for Bagudu and his family.
The Buhari-led government is seeking the approval of a UK court to take possession of the assets with the aim of handing 70 per cent of it to Governor Bagudu as part of a 2018 deal which according to President Buhari prevents Nigeria from assisting the US in their efforts to recover and return stolen Abacha loot to the right owners, the Nigerian public.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has denied being part of the deal with Bagudu though the court papers prove the contrary.
Abacha is estimated to have stolen over $5bn from 1993 until his death in 1998.
Chukwugozie Okeke reporting, Obinwannem News
