US says Nigeria must repay Abacha loot if relooted

The United States has stated that the $308 million Abacha loot which will soon be repatriated to Nigeria must be placed in an account and if the money is stolen from that account, Nigeria would be made to replace it.

The Spokesperson for the US State Department, Morgan Ortagus, said in a statement that this was one of the agreements that was reached between the US, Nigeria and the Island of Jersey where the funds are being kept.

The statement read in part, “The funds will be used by the Nigerian Independent Sovereign Authority for three infrastructure projects in strategic economic zones across Nigeria.

“To ensure that the funds are used responsibly and for the good of the nation, the agreement includes mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of these projects as well as external oversight, and it requires Nigeria to repay any funds lost as a result of any new corruption or fraud to the account established to hold the returned assets.

“This return reflects the growing international consensus that countries must work together to ensure stolen assets are returned in a transparent and accountable manner.”

The US said the arrangement was consistent with the commitments both the US and Nigeria made under the principles agreed to at the 2017 Global Forum on Asset Recovery co-hosted by the US and the United Kingdom.

“This agreement is a symbol of the weight that the United States government places on the fight against corruption.  We welcome President Buhari’s personal commitment to that fight, and we will continue to support civil society and other Nigerian efforts to combat corruption at all levels.  The fight against corruption is an investment in the future of Nigeria,” the statement read.

Gen. Sani Abacha, who ruled Nigeria with an iron fist between 1993 and 1998, is believed to have looted over $4 billion from the nation’s treasury.