FG recovers more proceeds of Abacha’s loot abroad

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr
Mohammed Adoke, said on Thursday that his
ministry had recovered more than twenty million
pounds allegedly stolen from Nigeria's coffers. Adoke,
who
said this at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja, noted that
the money was recovered from one Raj Arjandes Bhojwani,
an Indian national and associate of late Head of State, Gen.
Sani Abacha.
He said that the assets were recovered in 2011, adding that the
ministry was able to recover and repatriate the money
following its negotiations with the Island of Jersey.
"During the period under review, the ministry intensified its
efforts to trace and repatriate Nigeria's stolen assets abroad.
"In this connection, we have maintained effective liaison and
communication with targeted jurisdictions to keep pace with
assets recovery proceedings in those jurisdictions.
"In 2011, our close liaison and negotiation with the Island of
Jersey led to the recovery and repatriation of the sum of £22.5
million confiscated by the Royal Court of Jersey from Raj
Arjandes Bhojwani, an Indian national and associate of
General Sani Abacha on account of his money laundering
transactions from Nigeria."
Adoke also said that the Principality of Liechtenstein recently
confiscated the sum of Euro 175 million from the Abacha
family and associate companies in Liechtenstein.
The minister said although Nigeria had not recovered nor
repatriated the money following an appeal lodged by the
companies involved, the ministry would ensure the
repatriation of the money.
"We continued the liaison and negotiations with the
Principality of Liechtenstein, which recently confiscated the
sum of Euro 175 million from the Abacha family and
associated companies in Liechtenstein following a
confiscation order by the Supreme Court of Liechtenstein.
"However, the companies involved have lodged an appeal
against the decision before the European Court of Justice in
Strasburg.
"As soon as the appeal is concluded, firm arrangements
consistent with the asset recovery provisions of the United
Nations convention against corruption would be made to
repatriate the forfeited sums to Nigeria."