Nig Court Demands Govt Disclose $5B Abacha Loot Usage

Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a significant ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). 

The court has ordered the Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, to disclose the utilization details of approximately $5 billion of the Sani Abacha loot. 

This ruling mandates the government to provide information regarding the specific amount stolen by General Sani Abacha from Nigeria, the total sum of Abacha loot that has been recovered, and any agreements entered into by the administrations of former presidents Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari in relation to the recovered funds.

Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja recently rendered a significant judgment in response to a Freedom of Information suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The court ordered the Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, to disclose the complete spending details of the approximately $5 billion Sani Abacha loot within seven days. The judgment highlighted that SERAP had a rightful claim to this information and did not need to demonstrate any specific interest.

Additionally, Justice Omotosho mandated the government to disclose the specific projects executed with the Abacha loot, including their locations, and the names of companies and contractors involved since the restoration of democracy in 1999. The court also requested details regarding the roles played by the World Bank and other partners in executing projects funded with the Abacha loot during the administrations of former presidents Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari.

The judge dismissed the objections raised by the Federal Government, stating that their failure to provide the requested information violated Section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act. The government's argument that it lacked the records of the Abacha loot was deemed insufficient. Justice Omotosho emphasized the citizens' right to access information about public funds and held that SERAP's suit was justified.

SERAP subsequently sent a letter to President Tinubu, urging the government to comply with the court's judgment and promptly release the spending details of the recovered Abacha loot as ordered.