A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order for the disclosure of spending details regarding the approximately USD $5 billion Abacha loot recovered by the governments of former Nigerian presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari.
The court has directed the government of President Bola Tinubu to provide information on the exact amount of money stolen by General Sani Abacha from Nigeria, as well as the total amount of Abacha loot recovered and any agreements entered into by the previous administrations of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari.
The judgment was delivered by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho in response to a Freedom of Information suit brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), bearing the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/407/2020.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the application by SERAP was valid, and he ordered the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, to provide SERAP with the complete spending details of the approximately $5 billion Abacha loot within seven days from the date of the judgment.
This decision signifies a significant step toward transparency and accountability regarding the recovery and utilization of the Abacha loot, aiming to ensure that the funds are properly accounted for and utilized for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
