On Friday in Abuja, the Supreme Court of Nigeria rejected a request from members of the late General Sani Abacha’s family to halt efforts by the Federal Government to reopen the criminal forfeiture proceedings against the former head of state.
The recent government initiative to reopen the fraud investigation is directed at a few family members who are accused of participating in the looting of the national coffers under Abacha’s rule.
The Supreme Court’s Justice Emmanuel Agim dismissed the case brought before the Supreme Court in his ruling for lack of merit and substance.
The Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal had previously supported the Federal Government’s right to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the family, and the Supreme Court upheld those rulings.
The SC/641/2013 appeal was filed by Mohammed, the eldest surviving son of the late Abacha, and his brother Abba (for themselves and on behalf of the family of Gen. Abacha).
The National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), DCP P. Y. Hana (Chairman, Special Investigation Panel), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur are listed as respondents (of the Principality of Liechtenstein).
Details to follow.
