The United States, through the Department of Justice and the FBI, has lost approximately 23 million dollars traced to the corruption and money laundering of former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and his co-conspirators. This money will be returned to Nigerians through an agreement between the governments of the United States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria) signed today in Abuja, Nigeria, by US Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard. This repatriation brings the total amount lost by the Justice Department in this case to approximately $334.7 million.
In 2014, US District Judge John D. Bates for the District of Columbia entered a judgment ordering the forfeiture of approximately $500 million located in accounts around the world as a result of a civil forfeiture suit for more than $625 million involved in money laundering. the proceeds of Abacha’s corruption. In 2020, the department recovered over $311.7 million of forfeited assets located in the Bailiwick of Jersey. Last year, the UK government enforced the US judgment against the additional $23 million.
“This repatriation of $23 million reflects the Department of Justice’s unwavering commitment to recover and return the proceeds of corruption laundered through the U.S. financial system,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Criminal Division of the Justice Department.
The forfeited assets represent corrupt funds that were laundered during and after the military regime of General Abacha, who became head of state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through a military coup on November 17, 1993, and held that position until his death on June 8. 1998. The complaint alleges that General Abacha, his son Mohammed Sani Abacha, their associate Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and others embezzled, abused and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria and others, then transferred their criminal proceeds through US financial institutions and transactions in the USA have washed. States. The cooperation of the United Kingdom in the investigation, restriction and enforcement of the US sentence, together with the valuable contributions of Nigeria and other law enforcement partners around the world, including the United Kingdom National Crime Agency, as well as that of the Justice Department Office of International Affairs, were instrumental in the recovery of these funds.
Under the agreement signed today, the United States will transfer 100% of the net forfeited assets to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to support three critical infrastructure projects in Nigeria that were previously authorized by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian legislature. In particular, the funds governed by this agreement will help finance the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kano road – investments that will benefit the citizens of each of these important regions in Nigeria.
The agreement includes key measures to ensure transparency and accountability, including the management of funds and projects by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), financial review by an independent auditor and oversight by an independent civil society organization with expertise in engineering and other fields . The agreement also prevents the spending of funds to benefit alleged perpetrators of corruption or to pay attorneys’ fees. The agreement reflects the sound principles of ensuring transparency and accountability, adopted at the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) in December 2017 in Washington, DC, hosted by the United States and the United Kingdom with support from the World Bank’s Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative . and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This case was brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, working in partnership with the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Through the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, the Justice Department and federal lawmakers seek to protect the US financial system from criminal money laundering and recover the proceeds of foreign official corruption. Where appropriate and possible, the department endeavors to use the recovered proceeds of corruption to benefit people who are harmed by acts of corruption and abuse of public trust.
Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located or laundered in the United States should contact federal law enforcement or email kleptocracy@usdoj.gov. The Department appreciates the extensive assistance provided by the Governments of Great Britain, Nigeria, Jersey and France in this investigation.
Who succeeded Sani Abacha?
Abacha died in June 1998 and was succeeded by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who transferred or replaced most of Abacha’s appointees.
Who killed Shonekan? In November 1993, three months into his administration, Shonekan was overthrown in Abacha’s palace coup. See the article : Air Traffic Control can’t handle summer travel, United Airlines says.
Who took over from Sani Abacha?
| General Sani Abacha GCFR | |
|---|---|
| Prior to | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Successful of | Salihu Ibrahim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 September 1943 Kano, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now Kano, Nigeria) |
Who is Sani Abacha’s wife?
Maryam Abacha (born March 4, 1949) is the widow of Sani Abacha, the military ruler of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998.
Where was Abacha buried? On the same subject : UK SE TotalEnergies Regulatory Announcement: US: TotalEnergies Announces Commissioning of New Ethane Cracker at Port Arthur.
How many wives did Sani Abacha have?
| General Sani Abacha GCFR | |
|---|---|
| Spouse(s) | Maryam Abacha |
| Children | See Ibrahim Mohammed Abba Mahmud Sadiq Zainab Fatima Gumsu Rakiya Abdullahi Mustapha |
| Signature | |
| Military service |
What does the name Abiola mean?
Abiola is a Nigerian name of Yoruba origin. The meaning of Abiola is “born to honor, wealth”. Notable people with the name include: Hafsat Abiola (born 1974), Nigerian civil rights activist. On the same subject : Sydney McLaughlin carries United States to 33rd medal at UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, Nigerian businessman, publisher, philanthropist and politician.
