FG Approves an NGO to Monitor Spending of $311m Abacaha Loot

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Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

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The Federal Government has selected a civil society organisation, CLEEN Foundation, to monitor the spending of the last tranche of $311m returned funds looted by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

This was disclosed on Thursday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The fund which was returned in February 2020, was reported to have been appropriated for three notable projects – the 2nd Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the AGF, Dr Umar Gwandu, the purpose of the involvement of the CSO was to increase transparency in the management of recovered funds.

Gwandu said CLEEN Foundation was selected after a presentation made by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on the competitive bidding process involving 17 Nigerian and international civil society and business organisations.

He said “The Federal Executive Council approved the award of the consultancy monitoring of the projects; 2nd Niger Bridge, Abuja to Kano Expressway and Lagos to Ibadan Expressway to CLEEN Foundation, a Nigeria-based CSO.

“The selection process included the participation of the other two countries that signed the tripartite agreement for the return of the Abacha three stolen assets; the United States of America and the Bailiwick of Jersey.

“This engagement is in line with President Buhari’s commitment to open government and the principles of the Global Forum on Asset Recovery, as well as the UN Convention Against Corruption provisions on asset recovery.”