Abacha loots: US to monitor usage of recovered funds

The United States of America has said it would monitor the usage of the returned late General Sani Abacha loots to Nigeria.

“The funds will be used by the Nigerian Independent Sovereign Authority for three infrastructure projects in strategic economic zones across Nigeria,” Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

“To ensure that the funds are used responsibly and for the good of the nation, the agreement includes mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of these projects as well as external oversight, and it requires Nigeria to repay any funds lost as a result of any new corruption or fraud to the account established to hold the returned assets.”

The United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey, on February 3 signed an agreement with Nigeria for the return of more than $308 million looted by former Nigerian head of state General Sani Abacha.

“It is also consistent with the commitments both the United States and Nigeria made under the principles agreed to at the 2017 Global Forum on Asset Recovery co-hosted by the United States and the United Kingdom,” Ortagus said.

She said the agreement is a symbol of the weight that the United States government places on the fight against corruption.

“We welcome President Buhari‘s personal commitment to that fight, and we will continue to support civil society and other Nigerian efforts to combat corruption at all levels,” Ortagus said.

” The fight against corruption is an investment in the future of Nigeria.”