SERAP writes Buhari on $23m Abacha loot, seeks details of agreement with US

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written to President Muhammadu Buhari on the recent repatriation of $23 million stolen by the late General Sani Abacha.

The United States government last week signed an agreement with the Federal Government to return the money to Nigeria.

SERAP urged Buhari, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to provide a copy of the agreement.

The letter dated 27 August 2022 and signed by the Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare cited the Freedom of Information Act.

The organisation said disclosure of the details would allow Nigerians to scrutinise and monitor the spending of the funds.

SERAP expressed concern that the loot is vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement.

The letter said part of “the estimated $5 billion returned Abacha loot since 1999 may have been diverted, re-stolen or mismanaged”.

It reminded the government of its responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how any repatriated stolen funds are spent.

SERAP added that the latest repatriation brings the total amount of funds repatriated by the US, in Abacha’s case, to more than $334.7 million.