Abacha loot: SERAP sues Buhari, Malami over agreement

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) over “the failure to publish copy and details of the agreement the Federal Government recently signed with the United States for the repatriation of $23 million stolen by the former Head of State, Sani Abacha.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was joined in the suit as a respondent.

The agreement signed in August 2022 came after the $311 million Abacha loot was returned by America in 2020.

In suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1700/2022 filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP asked the court to direct the President and Malami to make the details of the contractual agreement with the US public.

The rights group wants to know the mechanisms put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not mismanaged, diverted or re-stolen.

According to SERAP, “the repatriated $23 million Abacha loot is vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement. Substantial part of the estimated $5 billion returned Abacha loot since 1999 may have been mismanaged, diverted, or re-stolen, and in any case remain unaccounted for.”

The suit filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Atinuke Adejuyigbe, read partly, “The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s international obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.”

“The Federal Government has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how any repatriated stolen funds are spent, to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.

“It is in the public interest, and the interest of justice to grant this application. Nigerians are entitled to their constitutionally and internationally recognized human right to information.

“The Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee to everyone the right to information, including to a copy of the agreement on the repatriated $23 million Abacha loot.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit which was instituted on Friday.

News source: Punchng.com

For news coverage and advertisements, contact Prime News;

Gmail: pmonlinenews@gmail.com

WhatsApp: 09021757862

Comments

Amb. Olufadi Bags NANS Kwara ‘Icon Of Hope’ Leadership Award

Ambassador Olufadi Balarabe Ayuba, a distinguished lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has been honored with the "Icon of hope Leadership Award" by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kwara State Chapter. The prestigious award recognizes Olufadi's exceptional contributions to leadership, academic excellence, and his unwavering commitment to students constituency, youth development and mentorship in the state. Presenting the award on Monday December 2, NANS Kwara Delegates Comrade Sulyman Muhammed Solihu and Comrade Owolabi Barakat described Olufadi as a beacon of hope and a role model for students and young leaders. In his acceptance speech, Olufadi expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to his students and colleagues. He thanked the organizers for recognizing his efforts. Olufadi also commended the Polytechnic Management, led by the Project Rector, Dr. Abdul...

KwaraPoly: Students commends management for new development

By: LUKMAN ROKEEB OLAIDE The Students of Kwara State Polytechnic has commend the effort of the rector, Dr Abdul Jimoh Muhammad over there aiming for prosperity and implore them not to relent on there administration. The Students also commends their efforts on new development in the campus such as the solar street light, the diagnostic center amongst others. According to one of the students, Saliu Ibrahim from quantity survey opines that the management should have the monitoring teams in which will helps to curb the abuse of the school properties. In the same vein, another student, Aliyu Muhammad from Urban and Regional Planning said the rector has really done a lot and even they are trying there best towards renewing the school. The students therefore urge the rector and school management to extend the solar street light to Yankari and other places in the institution. For news coverage and advertisements placement, contact Prime News; Gmail: pmonlinenews@gmail.com Wh...

KwaraPoly: Rector commissions NAPAS lecture room renovated by 1996 Alumni set

PC: CeeJay Photos The Kwara State Polytechnic Rector, Engr. Jimoh Abdul Muhammed on Thursday commissioned the Department of Accountancy lecture room renovated by the Kwarapoly Accountancy Students Alumni Association (KASAA), 1996 set. The Rector in his address, commended National Association of Polytechnic Accountancy Students (NAPAS) 1996 alumni set for taking the leadership to renovate the lecture room for the students, saying it is the first alumni project since his inception in office. Engr. Abdul said despite not being the first set of graduate of the departments they are the first to take action in contributing to their alma mater, charged other sets to try and make impact in giving back to their institution. He implore the 1996 alumni set to join hands with the institution’s alumni association to continue to make great impact and giving back to their alma mater. ADVERT : Study and earn while having your di...

Search This Blog