Nigerians have expressed disbelief at reports that funds totally £211 million (app. N82 billion) have been found and seized by the United Kingdom government from the infamous loot of former dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha.
Abacha was Head of State from November 17, 1993 to June 8, 1998, when he died suddenly.
The Metro UK reported that the funds were discovered in an account in Jersey, a British crown dependency.
The account was in the name of Doraville Properties Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company.
Jersey had in 2014 secured a restraining order from a court on the bank account, following a request by the US, through whose territory the funds were laundered.
Doraville went to court to challenge the order in 2016 but failed at various times, up to the privy council – Jersey’s ultimate appellate court.
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According to the report, the money is now being held by the UK government until authorities in Jersey, the US and Nigeria come to an agreement on how it should be distributed.
However, some Nigerians took to social media to mock the late dictator for frittering away the nation’s resources for personal use only to die without using the funds.
See reactions monitored on Twitter:
Say Hello to the greatest thief ever
Abacha’s £211m uncovered in Channels island. Abacha has no match in stealing national treasure for now but wait until 2023 we will have his match pic.twitter.com/SRVdA3bmtF
— Maetrix (@MaetrixOgbu) June 4, 2019
#AbachaLoot
£200million Abacha loot uncovered. The guys is said to have been the most futuristic leader Nigeria ever had; he dedicated his life to carting away Nigeria's (crude oil (boom era) money) to foreign lands. Well, he never knew that a fool gathers for others to enjoy! pic.twitter.com/QOIAvJwUYq
— Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa Revolutionary (@DYouthAdvocate) June 4, 2019
Nigerians: At least this newly discovered Abacha's loot can solve our power problem.
Government : pic.twitter.com/MvdtKbbdHp
— Ucgadaz (@Ucgadaz) June 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/MgbeojiIkechi/status/1135911379771125760
https://twitter.com/payybakk_ng/status/1135914636744642562
Dear Gen. Sani Abacha,
I on behalf of other Nigerians want to appreciate you for helping us save all these monies, knowing Nigeria will one day need them.
23 years on, the loot is still flowing in like river Niger.
I don't know why Rochas didn't erect a statue in your honour. pic.twitter.com/Z1X45rnWu0
— Olusegun Atolagbe🇳🇬 (@segun_dearest) June 4, 2019
So I hear Abacha has made provisions for our 2019 budget💃💃 😆😃😂 pic.twitter.com/FiKkyTUcH4
— Her Excellency👄 (@sindie2lexy) June 4, 2019
Acct: FGN*******
Amt: £211,000,000 CR
Desc: — Sani Abacha loot Transfer from Channel Islands
Avail Bal: Still Processing….
2 decades running and in death, Nigga still dropping Credit alerts 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/LIZge5bOIU
— Mazi Wolfgang (@_EmmyJnr_) June 4, 2019
General Sani Abacha is about to send another £211,000,000 from his loot to Nigeria. Money discovered in another foreign account. Yet, he remains a hero to millions of Nigerians.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) June 4, 2019
Abacha is the most futuristic head of state we ever had in Nigeria… He steadily saved up for Nigeria's future.
Abacha = credit alert from hell pic.twitter.com/meSjoZiTHQ
— Ìfeoluwa (@Ogo_jeez) June 4, 2019