The Federal Government has welcomed an offer by the
Swiss government to return $321 million stolen funds
from Nigeria under the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a meeting with a Swiss
delegation, led by the country’s Federal Councillor and Head of its Foreign Affairs Department, Mr. Didier Burkhalter and the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Eric Mayoruz.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said a framework
was being developed on how the money would be managed.
“The framework will guarantee that returned assets will be used for the people.”
Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Mr. Abubakar Malami signed an agreement described as
a “Letter of Intent” with the Swiss government on the
restitution of illegally-acquired assets forfeited in Switzerland.
Mr. Burkhalter signed for the Swiss government.
Under the agreement, the Swiss government will award to Nigeria $321 million “of funds illicitly acquired by the
Abacha family. , initially deposited in Luxembourg and confiscated by
the Judiciary of the Republic and Canton of Geneva
pursuant to a Forfeiture order of December, 2014”.
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