The United States Justice Department said Thursday it had won legal control of nearly a half-billion dollars worth of corrupt gains hidden in bank accounts by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha.

The department said a court judgment on Wednesday gave it title to more than $480 million that Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, and associates had embezzled and placed in accounts in Jersey, England, Ireland and France.

That took US authorities one step closer to eventually repatriating the money, only a portion of the billions allegedly stolen by Abacha, to Nigeria.

The US is still seeking control over another four Abacha-tied investment portfolios in Britain containing $148 million.

Based on the court judgement, the department will seek to have authorities in those four jurisdictions order banks to transfer the money to it, on the basis that the corrupt funds were originally moved through the US financial system.

“General Abacha and others systematically embezzled billions of dollars in public funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria on the false pretense that the funds were necessary for national security,” the justice department said.

“The conspirators withdrew the funds in cash and then moved the money overseas through US financial institutions.”

An army general deeply involved in Nigerian politics since the 1960s, Abacha ousted a transitional government in 1993 and assumed the role of head of state until he suddenly died in June 1998.

Assistant Attorney General Caldwell branded Abacha’s theft “brazen acts of kleptocracy” aided by his son Mohammed and his former associate and still-prominent politician Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said it was not clear how long it would take to take possession of the funds and give them back to Nigeria.

“Our goal is to repatriate the recouped funds for the benefit of the Nigerian people,” he said.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/08/07/us-wins-control-of-abachas-480m-loot/

LMAyedun: The United States Justice Department said Thursday it had won legal control of nearly a half-billion dollars worth of corrupt gains hidden in bank accounts by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha.

The department said a court judgment on Wednesday gave it title to more than $480 million that Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, and associates had embezzled and placed in accounts in Jersey, England, Ireland and France.

That took US authorities one step closer to eventually repatriating the money, only a portion of the billions allegedly stolen by Abacha, to Nigeria.

The US is still seeking control over another four Abacha-tied investment portfolios in Britain containing $148 million.

Based on the court judgement, the department will seek to have authorities in those four jurisdictions order banks to transfer the money to it, on the basis that the corrupt funds were originally moved through the US financial system.

“General Abacha and others systematically embezzled billions of dollars in public funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria on the false pretense that the funds were necessary for national security,” the justice department said.

“The conspirators withdrew the funds in cash and then moved the money overseas through US financial institutions.”

An army general deeply involved in Nigerian politics since the 1960s, Abacha ousted a transitional government in 1993 and assumed the role of head of state until he suddenly died in June 1998.

Assistant Attorney General Caldwell branded Abacha’s theft “brazen acts of kleptocracy” aided by his son Mohammed and his former associate and still-prominent politician Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said it was not clear how long it would take to take possession of the funds and give them back to Nigeria.

“Our goal is to repatriate the recouped funds for the benefit of the Nigerian people,” he said.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/08/07/us-wins-control-of-abachas-480m-loot/

Northerners destroyed this country. Their claim of loving one Nigeria is nothing but illusion and deception combined together.
So many people are not even aware that Babangida looted more than Abacha but yet untouchable.
G.M.Buhari, Abdulsalami abubakar, atiku abubakar, umaru diko even Gowan just to mention but few from northern region looted and finished this country when they were in power.

swedbase:

Northerners destroyed this country.

All the tribes in Nigeria destroyed the country.

ISpiksDaTroof:

All the tribes in Nigeria destroyed the country.

Thank you my brother

ISpiksDaTroof:

All the tribes in Nigeria destroyed the country.

Nigerians destoryed Nigeria.

Abacha's death confirmed God's love for this country. I strongly believe that other corrupt politicians will die like Abacha. Nigeria shall be great! Greater than other great nations.

so OP WHAT YOU MEAN IS THAT THE MONEY WILL BE RETURN TO NIGERIA SAFELY

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,[/b] who ruled Nigeria between 1983 and 1985, and his successor, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, gave Abacha the clean bill in Kano yesterday after the rememberance prayers marking 10 years of the death of Abacha, who ruled between 1993 and 1998 -

[b]Gen. Sani Abacha, did not loot the national treasury contrary to the general impression, two military former heads of state have said.


Thisday 9 June 2008

Assistant Attorney General Caldwell branded Abacha’s theft “brazen acts of kleptocracy” aided by his son Mohammed and his former associate and still-prominent politician Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Same Mohammed Abacha whose corruption case has been dropped by the Federal Government.

There is God.

atlwireles: Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,[/b] who ruled Nigeria between 1983 and 1985, and his successor, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, gave Abacha the clean bill in Kano yesterday after the rememberance prayers marking 10 years of the death of Abacha, who ruled between 1993 and 1998 -

[b]Gen. Sani Abacha, did not loot the national treasury contrary to the general impression, two military former heads of state have said.


Thisday 9 June 2008

Tufiakwa!!

This is who APC is fronting as presidential flag bearer.
Disgusting.

Propaganda

Abacha did not loot Gen Buhari was spot on!

It is a lie. Abacha is NOT corrupt
- Buhari

GenBuhari: Propaganda

eaglechild:

Tufiakwa!!

This is who APC is fronting as presidential flag bearer.
Disgusting.

And your pay master withdrawend the case against his son who was an accomplice. Nigerians destroyed Nigeria shikena

Ole gbe, Ole gba: Like the Yorubas will Say!

They can take the money after all the clueless one in aso rock has confirm that it is their money. And he has also compensated the family with a centurion honorary award. This nonsense must stop in 2015.

courage54: They can take the money after all the clueless one in aso rock has confirm that it is their money. And he has also compensated the family with a centurion honorary award. This nonsense must stop in 2015.

true talk my brother. Its better the money remains in the US than for it to be relooted by Jonathan and his corrupt gang.

this loot no dey. finish? Anyway that's what you wpuld get when you have a spineless lad running your account

Is it their Moneyyyyyyy? Awon Oju kokoro

ISpiksDaTroof:

All the tribes in Nigeria destroyed the country.

Mention one Igbo person who have looted Nigerian treasury

Money which could have been used to provide basic amenities for Nigerians.

The same Abacha awarded by the govt, even his son's corruption case was dropped.

Better the US keep it, at least they will make better use of the looted money

You are here whining over an unproven half a billion from 16 years ago, whilst $20 billion is currently confirmed missing.

and you can not see you are a victim of propaganda to distract you from the real and massive looting currently taking place .

please wake up fast!!

feedthenation: Money which could have been used to provide basic amenities for Nigerians.

The same Abacha awarded by the govt, even his son's corruption case was dropped.

Better the US keep it, at least they will make better use of the looted money

yunglykmine: Ole gbe, Ole gba: Like the Yorubas will Say!

Gbam!!!

IjogzK: Is it their Moneyyyyyyy? Awon Oju kokoro

I wonder Oh! Thieves.

Sincere9gerian: It is a lie. Abacha is NOT corrupt
- Buhari

GEJ said stealing is not corruption so its either Buhari was right or GEJ is clueless


Which one is it?

Nigeria has been sold to the US, remember GEJ said that missing $20bn belongs to US

IjogzK: Is it their Moneyyyyyyy? Awon Oju kokoro

atlwireles: Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,[/b] who ruled Nigeria between 1983 and 1985, and his successor, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, gave Abacha the clean bill in Kano yesterday after the rememberance prayers marking 10 years of the death of Abacha, who ruled between 1993 and 1998 -

[b]Gen. Sani Abacha, did not loot the national treasury contrary to the general impression, two military former heads of state have said.


Thisday 9 June 2008

Let's assume your story is true (even though I doubt it) You expected them to go to a dead man's memorial and speak Ill of him? At least they didn't turn around and give him National Honors like Goodluck Jonathan did. Nor did they pardon an international fugitive, either.

swedbase:

Mention one Igbo person who have looted Nigerian treasury

Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first top Government official to have been accused of dipping in the Treasury.

You can start counting from there....

HNosegbe:

Same Mohammed Abacha whose corruption case has been dropped by the Federal Government.

There is God.

Yes, and the same Abache that our Peoples' General Said he wasn't corrupt...

The same "Atiku Abubakar" in that article is the one that is still running for office.

Abacha never looted - its all propaganda

ISpiksDaTroof: Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first top Government official to have been accused of dipping in the Treasury.

You can start counting from there....

There is a difference between accuse but innocent and someone caught in the act, scrutinize and confirm as in the case of
Abacha, Babangida and other northerners