SERAP writes Trump on $500m Abacha loot

A rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has in an open letter requested the administration of United States President Donald J. Trump, to release to Nigeria some $500 million worth of US-based proceeds of corruption traced to former Nigerian dictator General Sani Abacha. SERAP specifically said that these proceeds are separate from the $480 million of Abacha-origin funds that have been forfeited to the US under an August 2014 US federal district court order. SERAP in the letter dated February 3, 2017 and signed by the organisation’s US Volunteer Counsel Professor Alexander W. Sierck and Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni, told Mr Trump that, the US Department of Justice must promptly initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings against these proceeds so as to fulfil several non-controversial commitments by the US to assist Nigeria in recovering assets looted b former Nigerian government officials. The letter, a copy of which was sent to the US ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington, and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, reads in part: “SERAP urges your new administration to initiate discussions with the Nigerian government to fulfil these objectives within an agreed framework and timeline. Simultaneously, the administration should instruct the Justice Department to initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings in regard to the above-referenced $500 million in assets described above.” “Any bilateral discussions between the US and Nigeria concerning these assets should include clear acknowledgement of the significant role that civil society plays in asset recovery matters.” “To that end, the respective governments ought to commit to promptly sharing information with relevant civil society organisations on stolen assets of Nigerian origin located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction. This proposed commitment is similar to one between the US and Kenya as well as consistent with Articles 46(4) and 56 of the UN Convention Against Corruption,” the letter reads in part.

from Echo http://ift.tt/2lem4pO