The United States Department of Justice has announced the transfer of over $20.6 Million to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with an Aug. 23 agreement between both countries to repatriate assets the U.S. forfeited, traceable to the kleptocracy of former Nigerian Dictator General Sani Abacha and his co-conspirators.
The total amount forfeited and returned to Nigeria by the United States is approximately $332.4 Million.
These forfeited assets represents corrupt monies laundered during and after the military regime of General Abacha who became Head of State through a Military Coup on Nov. 17, 1993 and held that position until his death on June 8, 1998.
It was alleged that General Abacha, his son Mohammed Abacha, his associate Abubakar Bagudu and others embezzled and extorted billions of dollars from the Government of Nigeria.
They laundered their criminal proceeds through U.S. financial institutions.
The U.K. cooperation in investigation, enforcement of U.S. judgement along with valuable contributions of Nigeria and other law enforcement partners around the world including the U.K. National Crime Agency and Justice Department Office of International Affairs have been instrumental to the recovery of these funds.
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