France government to return $150 million Abacha loot to Nigeria

The French Government has confirmed its readiness to return $150 million looted by a former Nigerian head of state and dictator, General Sani Abacha, to Nigeria, and assets stolen from the Nigerian late military ruler.

Penpushing reports that France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna made this known on Friday during her one-day visit to Nigeria, explaining that this was in response to the request submitted by the Nigerian Ministry of Justice, and in agreement with the American Administration.

The late Abacha was a known notorious kleptocrat who was named by Transparency International alongside Indonesia’s Suharto and Mobutu Seko of Zaire (now DR Congo) as the world’s worst state official thieves.

Penpushing further reports that the late head of state  is believed to have stolen between three and five billion dollars,  while ruling with fist hands in the country, the majority of which came from Nigeria’s oil resources.

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs affirmed that France Government has agreed to return the stolen money in the form of grants for developmental projects, adding that the money had been frozen in France since 2021

“I also informed President Tinubu… France will return to Nigeria the assets stolen from the Nigerian people by General Sani Abacha and his family, which have been frozen in France since 2021,” she emphaised.

Penpushing also reports that Colonna pointed out that discussions between both governments will commence in order to allocate the money to development projects benefiting the population, according to the priorities of the Nigerian government.

The France Minister when asked why it appeared to be dictating how the looted funds will be used, she noted that France has no say in how the money is spent; however, it is part of an agreement reached between Nigeria and the family of the former head of state.

Penpushing reports that in response to the development President Bola Tinubu in a press statement signed by his spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, thanked the French government for what he called a good news.

‘Thank you for the good news on the return of Abacha loot. We appreciate your effective cooperation concerning the return of Nigeria’s money. It will be judiciously applied in attaining our development objectives’, Tinubu said.

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