The United States Department of Justice says the Nigerian Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)is planning to hand $ 100 million of Abacha stolen money to the APC governor of Kebbi State Atiku Bagudu.
The US Department of Justice says Bagudu was involved with the dead Dictator and worked to transfer stolen money estimated by Transparency International to be $ 5 billion in the mid-90s when Abacha was in power.
According to a recent filing at the District courts for the District of Columbia, Washington, the Buhari government claims a 17-year old agreement allows the money to be handed to Bagudu and prevents authorities from assisting the US efforts to recover stolen money linked to the governor.
A former Nigeria expert for the US intelligence agencies and associate fellow at the London based Chatham House, Mathew page says ”This case illustrates how complex and contentious repatriating stolen assets to Nigeria can be.
”Instead of welcoming U.S. efforts, Nigeria’s lawyers appear to be supporting the interests of one of the country’s most powerful families.”
So far there has been no comment by the Attorney General Malami’s office.
Chukwugozie Okeke reporting, Obinwannem News
