Swiss Ambassador, Hans Rudolf Hodel has said that it is now impossible to deposit money that is not of legal origin in Switzerland.
The Swiss Government also revealed that another $370m looted by former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha has been found in Luxembourg.
Hodel made this statement when he paid a courtesy call on the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at the Defence House, Abuja.
Hodel said “This is a long standing issue. Our laws are there to help all countries which are fighting corruption. We will help this government. If you remember, many years ago we gave back the Abacha money to Nigeria. The situation in Switzerland has changed.
“The policy is no longer the same. In the past people come to deposit money in Switzerland without too much controversy. Now, it is not possible to deposit money in Switzerland because of legal origin. Before banks had to prove that the money is illegal. But now, before you deposit money in a Swiss bank, you have to prove that you have earned that money legally.
“If you are a wealthy businessman, you have money in billions legally, but if, for example as a journalists you come to Switzerland with $2 million and say you earned it because you did a very good job, nobody will believe you.”
On how soon the Abacha loot will be released, he said “The Swiss government is not involved. The Nigerian government has asked for legal assistance. When the government makes a request to my government, we work together on it. But this case is different. That is the Abacha family directly with the Nigerian government finding a deal.
“So, the Swiss government is not involved and the money is in Luxembourg. They have asked for legal assistance and we have provided them with this information. It is not a classical case and we would have prefer a classical case where we can give the money back and make sure that it is used in the interest of the people. Now it is up to the Nigerian government.”