Abacha family loses bid to recover $800m seized by the Federal Government

Late General Sanni Abacha

The family and 19 close associates of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, have lost their bid to recover $800 million seized by the Federal Government.

The fund, allegedly looted by Abacha’s family, was recovered by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar - led government.

The family and 19 companies owned by the family had gone to the appellate court seeking to upturn the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja, which dismissed their suit, challenging the constitutionality of the letters written by the Federal Government to governments of some foreign countries.
Justice Suleiman Galadima, who delivered the lead judgment recently at the Supreme Court, threw out the appeal saying it is incompetent and lacking in merit.

With this decision, the apex court has re-affirmed the decision of the trial court and the Court of Appeal.

The money was recovered by the government from Muhammed Sani Abacha and nineteen (19) other companies between 1999 and 2000.

The companies are Juinin Finance, Savard International, Venfold Investment, Sulgrave Holdings INC, Raw Materials Development and Trading Co. Ltd., Technical Management Service Ltd, Allied Network Ltd and Blue Rock Properties.

Others are Barven Holdings, Olmar Establishment, Peltora Establishment, Glotar establishment, KRH Capital establishment, Kurita Establishment, Tadil Overseas, Rike Limited, Warnbeck Holdings, Arwood Overseas and Larberidge Trading.