SAN FRANCISCO, December 17, (THEWILL) – About N10.7 billion is left in the account housing the recovered Abacha loot, Nigerian officials said on Thursday.
The recovered Abacha loot are funds returned to the Nigerian government from monies stolen from the country’s treasury by the now late former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
The late dictator had stolen an estimated $5 billion from Nigeria’s coffers and the money is being returned in tranches after agreements with countries such as Switzerland and the United States.
It is reported that not less than $700 million has been repatriated from Switzerland alone, but not clear how much has been recovered in total.
Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is currently under attack for approving the transfer of $322 million from the monies to the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki to prosecute the fight against Boko Haram, without appropriation.
Briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa Abuja, after the monthly National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue State, said the current administration met only N10.7 billion in the account and had not been touched by this government.
Ortom said according to the Accountant-General, “the dollar account as at November 2015 ending, has a balance of $ 26, 000, 389 (N5, 122, 076, 633) , while the pound sterling account has a balance of £19, 033, 000.00 (N5, 619, 965, 268.4) That is where we are today”.
Ahmed Idris, the Accountant-General of the Federation also briefed Council on the state of the Excess Crude proceeds. Idris reported to Council that the ECA stood at $2.257 billion as at the end of November 2015.
He also reported a slight change against the previous balance, with an interest which is due of N599,137,467 into the account as accrued interest.
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