The Federal High Court in Abuja has instructed the Nigerian government to provide detailed information on how approximately $5 billion recovered from the late General Sani Abacha’s loot was spent. Justice James Omotosho issued the order in response to a Freedom of Information suit filed by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The court ruled that the government must disclose the exact amount of money stolen by Abacha, the total amount of the recovered loot, and any agreements signed regarding the funds by past presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari. The Ministry of Finance’s claim that it lacked details of the spending was rejected by the judge.
The government, through the Ministry of Finance, has been given seven days to provide SERAP with the full spending details of the Abacha loot. The court also mandated the government to reveal the projects executed with the recovered funds, their locations, and the names of companies and contractors involved. Additionally, the government was ordered to disclose the specific roles played by the World Bank and other partners in executing projects funded by the Abacha loot under previous administrations.
