Two arrested in UK over £20m Abacha loot



The last is yet to be heard about looted funds traced to ex- Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, as £20m(N5.12billion) laundered through some lawyers in Britain is being probed.

Two suspects, including a former Attorney-General of Kogi State, have been arrested in London in connection with the loot
The two suspects, who were trying to convert a 1994 CBN Traveller’s Cheque worth £2,000 at Travelex are undergoing interrogation in London.

Upon a search in the suspects’ hotel in London, it was gathered, about £78,000 traveller’s cheque was found on them.

There were indications that the UK Police may invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance to seek the extradition of Mohammed Sanni, who is allegedly linked to the probe.

A source said: “The arrest of two Nigerian suspects (including a former Attorney-General of Kogi State) has triggered the latest round of investigation.

“With the £20million loot in their care, they decided to test the waters with £80,000. So, the two suspects took £2,000 Traveller’s Cheque purchased by the CBN in 1994 to Travelex to get some cash but the desk officers were suspicious because of the time frame.

“The attendants alerted security agencies who arrested the suspects and later searched their hotel rooms where additional £78,000 worth of traveler’s cheque was found.

“The security agencies are working on the suspicion that the suspects were on a laundering mission in the UK as part of moves to repatriate the alleged £20million stashed by the late Head of State.”

The Press Bureau of the Metropolitan Police last night said: “We have contacted officers to get any details of this incident. We will reply in due course as and when we have them.”

The Abachas were alleged to have laundered about $3billion cash.

The Federal Government has so far recovered more than $2.550billion.

The government is trying to trace the whereabouts of $450million hidden in many countries.

A Federal Government counsel on repatriation of Abacha loot, Mr. Tim Daniel, had said about $2.550billion of $3billion had been so far recovered by the Federal Government from the late Abacha’s accounts and his family.

He gave the breakdown as follows: voluntary surrender ($750m); Switzerland ($570m); Jersey ($380m); UK($150m); Luxembourg ($300m); and Liechtenstein ($400m).

A few months after the 13th year anniversary of Abacha’s death, the Federal Government recovered£22.5m (N6.18billion) loot which the late Head of State, allegedly stashed in Jersey.

The £20million being investigated is alleged to be part of the outstanding $450million.

chidindufrank: This is the main reason why Northerners want power by all means so that the north would continue to loot us dry. The money Abacha looted is/was oil money. The question is,Who was the minister of petroleum trust fund during Abacha's iron reign?

emmysenior:

Really?

There were indications that the UK Police may invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance to seek the extradition of Mohammed Sanni, who is allegedly linked to the probe.

yunglykmine: Abacha really drained this country.. Nigeria is one of the richest nations but Corruption has eaten so deep into our blood that the money meant for development are being diverted into personal use. May God help Nigeria & Nigerians.

emmysenior: Karma's all fighting.

If you'd ask me, all our past and present leaders should be investigated and probed.

The dangerous silence of 167 million people...
Revolution imminent.

Time changes yesterday.

dare352: am new here