US Freezes $458 Million Stolen By Nigeria Dictator Abacha

«§» 6 March 2014

The United States said Wednesday it had ordered a freeze on $458 million in assets stolen by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and his accomplices and hidden in European accounts. The Justice Department said the corruption proceeds -- stashed away in bank accounts in Britain, France and Jersey -- were frozen at Washington's request with the help of local authorities.

Abacha died in office in 1998, but his surviving relatives still include some of the richest and most influential figures in Africa's most populous nation.



According to a civil forfeiture complaint unsealed in the US District Court in Washington, the department wants the recover more than $550 million in connection with the action.

"This is the largest civil forfeiture action to recover the proceeds of foreign official corruption ever brought by the department," said Mythili Raman, acting assistant attorney general.

"General Abacha was one of the most notorious kleptocrats in memory, who embezzled billions from the people of Nigeria while millions lived in poverty," she said.

The Justice Department said the assets frozen -- along with additional assets named in the complaint -- represent the "proceeds of corruption" during and after the military regime of Abacha, who became president of Nigeria through a military coup on November 17, 1993 and held that office until his death on June 8, 1998.

The complaint alleges that Abacha, his son Mohammed Sani Abacha, their associate Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and others "embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria and others, then laundered their criminal proceeds through the purchase of bonds backed by the United States using US financial institutions."

Raman said that the action sends a "clear message" that the United States is "determined and equipped to confiscate the ill-gotten riches of corrupt leaders who drain the resources of their countries."

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Posted: at 6-03-2014 12:23 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

Most stupid idiot gumsu sani abasha where re you God vengeance will visit on all of you!!!

Posted: at 6-03-2014 03:05 AM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

Let us be foolish here, the money belong to the late president Abacha. that money is not Nigeria government or America govt money. just give it back to abacha's family b4 those thief's in nigeria wil share it. it Abacha's hard earn money. not 4 naija

Posted: at 6-03-2014 08:13 AM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

And he was honored despite .......

Posted: at 6-03-2014 08:16 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

ISLAM   D   RELIGION   OF   PEACE

MTCHEEEEW  FABRICATED  NEWS......

POSTA   ABEG  GET  LIFE  NA

WEL, I SHADE TEARS FOR DIS GEJ ADMINISTRATION & HIS USELESS BLOODSUCKING TRANSFORMATION AGENDA


WAT  GOES  AROUND WIL SURELY COMES AROUND

Posted: at 6-03-2014 08:33 AM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

hmnnnnnnnnn

Posted: at 6-03-2014 08:40 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

Hmmmmm Abacha own has been forfeited now. Pls wen will they do same to IBB, Obasanjo and all d thieves we have as leaders.

Posted: at 6-03-2014 08:48 AM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero

kk

Posted: at 6-03-2014 10:02 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

K

Posted: at 6-03-2014 10:08 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Good....they should use it and clear Nigerian debt

Posted: at 6-03-2014 10:12 AM (10 years ago) | Hero