The other abacha loots
You're referring to the other looted funds recovered from the estate of late Nigerian Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
After Abacha's death in 1998, it was discovered that he had embezzled billions of dollars from the Nigerian government during his rule from 1993 to 1998. The looted funds were hidden in various bank accounts, real estate, and other assets around the world.
In 2014, the Nigerian government launched a recovery effort, led by the Abacha Loot Recovery Committee, to recover the stolen funds. The committee worked with international partners, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, to track down and recover the looted assets.
Some of the notable recoveries include:
- $322 million recovered in 2014: The Nigerian government recovered $322 million from a bank account in the United States, which was frozen by the US authorities in 2000.
- $150 million recovered in 2017: The Nigerian government recovered $150 million from a bank account in the United Kingdom, which was frozen by the UK authorities in 2003.
- $500 million recovered in 2018: The Nigerian government recovered $500 million from a bank account in Switzerland, which was frozen by the Swiss authorities in 2005.
- $100 million recovered in 2020: The Nigerian government recovered $100 million from a bank account in the United Arab Emirates, which was frozen by the UAE authorities in 2019.
These recoveries have been made possible through a combination of international cooperation, legal action, and diplomatic efforts. The recovered funds are being used to benefit the people of Nigeria, with a focus on infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and other social programs.
It's worth noting that the recovery of Abacha's looted funds is an ongoing process, and more recoveries are expected in the future. The Nigerian government has also established a Whistleblower Policy to encourage individuals to report any information that could lead to the recovery of additional looted funds.