Switzerland to return Sh3 billion stolen by Nigerian ruler Sani Abacha

LAGOS: Authorities in Switzerland are in talks to arrange the return to Nigeria of Sh3 billion ($300 million) confiscated from the family of its former military ruler, Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s foreign minister said.

 The corruption watchdog Transparency International has accused Abacha of stealing up to $5 billion of public money during his five years running the oil-rich nation, from 1993 until his death in 1998. Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said $700 million had already been repatriated from Switzerland, adding that he met Swiss representatives last week for further talks. “They have also now recovered, in the same context, another $300 million of which there is ongoing discussion to have that repatriated as well,” he told journalists on Monday.