By Alifa Daniel
A $458 million loot by the late former Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha and which the United States government planned to return to the Federal Government will not come now.According to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), the money is being held back because a lawyer is insisting he be paid for representing the government in the suit that led to the forfeiture of the loot.
But another $100 million is being held because individuals associated with Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu, are contesting the forfeiture.A statement from the minister’s office signed by his spokesman, Mr. Salihu Othman Isah, revealed: “The forfeiture of the remaining $100 million in assets is still pending. The forfeiture of these assets is being contested by certain individuals, who are related to Atiku Bagudu (General Abacha’s associate) and who claim that these assets are the subject matter of a private family trust.”
