Monday, July 20, 2026

Abacha Loot: Federal government appoints CSO to monitor spendings

It is not immediately clear if the move was part of the loot repatriation deal with the U.S.

• December 25, 2020
Nigeria's Attorney General, Abubakar Malami [Photo Credit: BusinessDay]
Nigeria’s Attorney General, Abubakar Malami [Photo Credit: BusinessDay]

The Federal Executive Council has selected a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) to monitor the appropriation of over $311million recovered in February from funds looted by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

The recovered funds had been earmarked for infrastructural projects such as the 2nd Niger Bridge, Abuja to Kano Expressway and Lagos to Ibadan Expressway.  

CLEEN Foundation, an Abuja Based CSO, which focuses on promoting public safety, security and accessible justice, was selected to oversee the spending.

This announcement was made on Thursday by a Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, a media assistant to Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.

Mr. Gwandu said that the involvement of a CSO was  to increase transparency in the management of the funds.

In April, the Attorney General’s office had disclosed that the country recovered over $311 million of the stolen funds by the country’s former military ruler from the United States after an agreement was signed in February by the concerned parties.

It is not immediately clear if the appointment of a CSO to monitor deployment of the loot was part of the agreement signed with U.S. government where the funds are being repatriated.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang

States

Mutfwang hails Tinubu for approving dualisation of Plateau-Taraba road

Mr Mutfwang particularly thanked Mr Yilwatda for his strategic engagement and commitment to the development of Plateau State at all times.

Peter Obi

NationWide

Obi thanks God @65, donates ₦10 million to rural hospital in Anambra community

Mr Obi expressed gratitude to God and renewed commitment to the service of humanity.

Triumphant Spain

Heading 3

Spain lift 2026 World Cup after beating Messi’s Argentina

The defeat meant that Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammates failed to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles in 64 years.

Map of Kano State

States

Fire service rescues man trapped under collapsed Kano wall

The PRO said that the victim was rescued alive and conveyed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano State.

Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu

Heading 1

Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu for 2027 Ogun governorship race

Mr Adebutu accused successive administrations of denying local governments the financial independence needed to drive development.