$480m Abacha loot: SERAP Urges U.S. To Monitor Nigeria

Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has proposed to the U.S. Department of Justice a repatriation arrangement to limit control or management of $480 million forfeited Abacha funds by the Nigerian Government to ensure transparency and accountability in the process.

This was contained a letter dated March 25, 2015 and sent to Tom Malinowski, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor by SERAP’s Volunteer Counsel, Alexander Sierck and Omolola Adekanye of Cameron LPP, Washington DC.

SERAP, in the letter, said there are unflattering indicators that the Nigerian Government condones corruption in public service and its precedent on repatriated funds.

According to the organisation, the Department of Justice should lend itself to public suggestions and proposals prior to drafting a proposal for repatriation and disbursement of Abacha assets for court’s approval.

SERAP seeks the State Department’s support for this purpose.

The letter reads in part: “SERAP is in ongoing communications with the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the Department of Justice by Order of Court entered on February 6, 2014 by District Judge, John D. Bates, of the District of Colombia.

“Hence, SERAP has respectfully requested that the U.S. Department of Justice publish an invitation in the Federal Register for public suggestions and comments to be made regarding, inter-alia (i) Proposed permitted and prohibited use of the Abacha funds, (ii) Proposed framework for monitoring and evaluation of development programs and (iii) Integration of transparency and accountability protocols in the process of disbursement.

“Corruption remains the primary factor undermining democracy, human rights and economic development in Nigeria. Fostering robust anticorruption measures should, therefore, be a prime objective of U.S. foreign policy regarding Nigeria and other comparable nations.

“Accordingly, SERAP respectfully invites the State Department to support SERAP’s ongoing discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice to achieve our shared objective.

“SERAP’s concern about the repatriation and ultimate disbursement of these funds stems from the fact that an arrangement that would potentially allow the Nigerian Government access, control or management of the funds when repatriated undermines the objective of the Kleptocracy Initiative.

“This is because the Nigerian Government has shown no disposition towards actively combating corruption by public officials and has not promoted transparency and accountability in public spending.”