Abacha loot how much did the late head of state steal
The Abacha loot refers to the estimated $5 billion to $10 billion stolen by the late Nigerian Head of State, General Sani Abacha, during his regime from 1993 to 1998. Abacha's regime was marked by widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement.
The looted funds were hidden in various bank accounts, real estate, and other assets around the world, including Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the United States. The exact amount of the loot is difficult to determine, as many of the transactions were complex and involved shell companies and offshore accounts.
In 2000, the Nigerian government established the Abacha Loot Recovery Committee to investigate and recover the stolen funds. The committee estimated that Abacha and his associates stole between $5 billion and $10 billion during his regime.
In 2005, the Swiss government agreed to return $500 million of the looted funds to Nigeria, and in 2014, the United States returned $480 million. In 2017, the Nigerian government recovered an additional $322 million from the United States.
Despite these recoveries, it is estimated that a significant portion of the Abacha loot remains unaccounted for. The Nigerian government has continued to pursue efforts to recover the remaining looted funds, including through international cooperation and legal action.
Here is a breakdown of the estimated Abacha loot:
- Estimated total loot: $5 billion to $10 billion
- Recovered so far: $1.2 billion (including $500 million from Switzerland and $480 million from the United States)
- Remaining loot: Estimated $3.8 billion to $8.8 billion
It's worth noting that the Abacha loot is not the only instance of corruption and looting in Nigeria's history. The country has struggled with corruption and economic mismanagement for decades, and the Abacha loot is just one example of the scale of the problem.