The Nigerian government, on Tuesday, signed a fresh agreement with the U.S. government for the return of over $23 million looted by the late dictator Sani Abacha.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, represented the federal government at the agreement signing ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mary Leonard, U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, signed the agreement on behalf of her country.
She said $23 million adds to the $311.7 million Abacha loot repatriated from the U.S. to Nigeria in 2020.
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Mr Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the decision to return the fresh tranche totalling $23,439,724, which he termed ‘Abacha-5’, was a product of series of tripartite negotiations between Nigeria, the U.S. Department of Justice and the UK National Crime Agency, NCA.
“It is worthy to note that in line with the terms of this Agreement, Mr. President had already approved the funds to be utilized for the ongoing Presidential Development Infrastructural Funds, PIDF, projects namely; Abuja-Kano Road, Lagos-Ibadan Express Way and the Second Niger Bridge under the supervision of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA.
‘U.S. law enforcement will continue to deny safe-heavens for corrupt actors’
In her remarks, Ms Leonard expressed her gratitude for representing the U.S. “to finalise the agreement for the repatriation of approximately $23 million worth of additional assets stolen by former dictator, Sani Abacha and his associates from the Nigerian people and will be returned to the Nigerian people.”
She restated her country’s resolve to tackle money laundering.
![United States Ambassador to the Nigeria, Mary Leonard [PHOTO: usembassy.gov]](https://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2021/06/Mary-Leonard-e1623361549539.jpg)
“The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized these funds in response to General Abacha and his associates’ violation of US laws when they laundered these assets through the US and into accounts in the United Kingdom.
“These actions were flagrant breach of the Nigerian people’s trust, but today is the result of an extensive and high-level corporation between the U.S., the UK and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make the Nigerian people whole.
“This agreement is also a kind of collaboration that our government must continue in order to right the wrongs committed under the previous regimes, combined with a $311.7m seized and repatriated with the assistance of the Bailiwick of Jersey and the government of Nigeria in 2020.
“This repatriation brings to the total amount of funds repatriated in this case by the US to more than $334.7m.
“As a result of today’s agreement, $23m will be transferred to the Nigerian Government, which through the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will use the funds to continue the construction of three key infrastructural projects located in strategic economic zones throughout the country- the 2nd Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kano Road.
“In other words, these recovered criminal proceeds, like the $311.7m previously seized and repatriated, will be transformed into visible and impactful representation of the possibilities of government assets that directly improve the lives of average Nigerians.
“The U. S. government is keenly aware of the devastating impact corruption has on societies. Corruption erodes trust and the ability of governments to deliver to their citizens.
“It distorts the economies and access to key services. It hinders development, pushes citizens towards extremism and makes countries and their officials susceptible to malicious foreign interference.
“It is in recognition of the role corruption plays in undermining democracy that the US considers the fight against corruption as a core national security interest.
“U.S. law enforcement will continue to deny safe-heavens for corrupt actors and their assets.
“Our agreement today also serves to reaffirm the important role Nigerian Civil Society plays in combating corruption.
“Among other things, it provides for both independent auditor as well as independent CSO monitor within Nigeria to track the expenditure of these recovered funds.
“As a partner, deeply interested in Nigeria’s success, we will continue to do our part to facilitate the recovery and return of the proceeds of corruption to the Nigerian people,” Ms Leonard explained.