by ‘Jola Sotubo
In a seemingly unending chase, more public funds embezzled by the former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha, have been recovered by the United States government and frozen.
The US is said to have stated yesterday that it had discovered the funds which were stashed away by Abacha and his accomplices in European accounts.
The assets believed to amount to a whopping $458 million were hidden in banks in Britain, France and Jersey, the US Justice Department revealed.
The proceeds of Abacha’s infamous money laundering schemes were frozen at the request of the US government with the aid of local authorities.
Acting assistant attorney general in Washington, Mythili Raman, said:
“This is the largest civil forfeiture action to recover the proceeds of foreign official corruption ever brought by the department,” said , .
“General Abacha was one of the most notorious kleptocrats in memory, who embezzled billions from the people of Nigeria while millions lived in poverty,” she said.
This development comes just days after the late despot was granted an award by the Nigerian government during its centenary celebrations.
The late Head of State, General Abacha was recently accorded the centenary award by President Jonathan – The merit is that Abacha was a good Statesman. His son Sadiq defended his late father saying that Prof. Soyinka was unfair to his father in his article alluding why he refused his own award on the same platform with the late General. Neither Mr.Sadiq nor President Jonathan was aware of the atrocities the General committed while in office- killings, terror and loots. The General squandered public funds with joy. He demostrated without awareness his very poor background in all sense. He was not taught human value, humbleness, respect and regard for human beings. Mr. Sadiq was also grown on the same platform. What a pity.
Mr. President Jonathan, You would have done yourself and Nigerians a big favour(What a lost opportunity ) by also noting that the late General Abacha was also a big National thief who looted Nigerians of their wealth. I think is never too late to revoke the National award and tell Nigerians that you were ill-advised.we will take it.
What a terrible past we’ve had.