FLASH: France Returns $150m Abacha Loot To Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu on Friday evening, expressed appreciation to France for the return of $150 million stolen from Nigeria by former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Tinubu also said the country has signed a €100 with France to support the i-DICE programme, a Federal Government initiative to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Arts Industries.

The agreement according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, was signed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Tinubu told the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonna, who delivered the news that the returned money wil be judiciously applied in attaining our the country’s development objectives.

The statement read, “Thank you for the good news on the return of Abacha loot. We appreciate your effective cooperation concerning the return of Nigeria’s money. It will be judiciously applied in attaining our development objectives.”

Speaking on the Abacha loot, the French Presidential Envoy said the repatriation followed the completion of legal processes.

“It was a long process, but we are glad that it was concluded. Sometimes, justice may be slow, but this is a very good achievement,” she said.