NEWS
Again, U.S. Repatriates Another $20.6 Million Abacha Loot To Nigeria Govt
The Department of Justice announced today that it has transferred over $20.6 million to the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria) in accordance with an Aug. 23 agreement between the governments to repatriate assets the United States forfeited that were traceable to the kleptocracy of former Nigerian Dictator General Sani Abacha and his co-conspirators, according to People’s Gazette
This repatriation brings the total amount forfeited and returned by the United States in this case to approximately $332.4 million.
In 2014, a judgment was entered in the District of Columbia ordering the forfeiture of approximately $500 million located in accounts around the world, as the result of a civil forfeiture complaint for more than $625 million traceable to money laundering involving the proceeds of General Abacha’s corruption. In 2020, the department repatriated over $311.7 million of the forfeited assets that had been located in the Bailiwick of Jersey. Last year, the U.K. government enforced the U.S. judgment against the additional over $20.6 million.
The forfeited assets represent corrupt monies laundered during and after the military regime of General Abacha, who became Head of State of Nigeria through a military coup on Nov. 17, 1993, and held that position until his death on June 8, 1998. The complaint filed in this case alleges that General Abacha, his son Mohammed Sani Abacha, their associate Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and others embezzled, misappropriated, and extorted billions of dollars from the government of Nigeria and others, then laundered their criminal proceeds through U.S. financial institutions and transactions in the United States. The United Kingdom’s cooperation in the investigation, restraint, and enforcement of the U.S. judgment, along with the valuable contributions of Nigeria and other law enforcement partners around the world, including the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, as well as those of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, have been instrumental to the recovery of these funds.
Under the agreement signed in August, the United States agreed to transfer 100% of the net forfeited assets to Nigeria to support three critical infrastructure projects in Nigeria that were previously authorized by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian legislature. The $20,637,622.27 mark is a slight reduction from the $23 million announced in August due primarily to exchange rate fluctuations between British pounds sterling and U.S. dollars. The funds governed by this agreement will help finance the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and the Abuja-Kano road – investments that will benefit the citizens of each of these important regions in Nigeria.
The agreement includes key measures to ensure transparency and accountability, including administration of the funds and projects by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), financial review by an independent auditor, and monitoring by an independent civil society organization with expertise in engineering and other areas. The agreement also precludes the expenditure of funds to benefit alleged perpetrators of the corruption or to pay contingency fees for lawyers. The agreement reflects the sound principles for ensuring transparency and accountability adopted at the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) in December 2017 in Washington, D.C., which the United States and the United Kingdom hosted with support from the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative of the World Bank and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The department appreciates the extensive assistance provided by the governments of the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Jersey, and France in this investigation.
This case was brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section working in partnership with the FBI. Through the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement agencies seek to safeguard the U.S. financial system from criminal money laundering and to recover the proceeds of foreign official corruption. Where appropriate and possible, the department endeavors to use recovered corruption proceeds to benefit the people harmed by acts of corruption and abuse of public trust.
NEWS
Dangote Preaches Ambition, Africa First to Nigerian Creatives
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs and creative industry practitioners to think beyond conventional limits, build globally competitive enterprises and create enduring legacies, declaring that Africa must take responsibility for its own economic transformation rather than depend on foreign investors for prosperity.
Dangote gave the charge while hosting leading figures from Nigeria’s creative industry at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lekki, Lagos, where he also disclosed that the Group was considering raising its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target in response to its expanding industrial investments and growth ambitions. The delegation, comprising Nollywood stars, content creators, comedians and other entertainment and lifestyle personalities, toured the industrial complex before engaging Dangote in a conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, ambition, and legacy.
Addressing the creatives, Dangote urged Nigerians to match their creativity and entrepreneurial drive with discipline, perseverance and the courage to pursue ambitious projects, stressing that lasting success should be measured not merely by personal wealth but by the businesses built, opportunities created and contributions made to society.
“It is not just about money; it is about legacy. We have often been taken for granted, and in many ways, we have contributed to that by waiting for foreigners to come and make our continent prosperous. That will never happen. We must take responsibility for building Africa’s prosperity ourselves,” he declared.
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Speaking on the Group’s long-term ambitions, Dangote revealed that its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target was being reconsidered, with a more ambitious target expected to be unveiled in January.
“We realised that our Vision 2030 target was too modest. We are working towards unveiling a new vision in January, with a revised target that reflects our ambition to achieve far more than US$100 billion,” he said.
He explained that the Group’s continued industrial expansion was driven by a determination to build enduring institutions, strengthen Africa’s productive capacity and demonstrate that the continent could develop enterprises capable of competing globally. Drawing lessons from Singapore’s economic transformation, Dangote said nations could overcome difficult beginnings through deliberate investment, enterprise and a commitment to developing their own capabilities. He challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to reject limiting assumptions about what could be achieved, noting that transformative accomplishments often required the courage to pursue ideas others considered impossible.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and the development of the refinery, Dangote identified perseverance, disciplined execution and sound judgement as essential ingredients of business success. He cautioned, however, that ambition must be tempered by the ability to recognise when an investment was no longer commercially viable.
“Before embarking on any venture, you must carefully consider all the issues involved. We have made mistakes too, and I share these experiences so others can learn from them,” he said. “One important lesson is never to keep putting good money into a bad investment. Some situations are simply too difficult to turn around, no matter how much you invest.”
Turning to the creative industry, Dangote commended Nigerian entertainers for building a formidable international presence despite operating in a challenging business environment and receiving limited government support. He described Nollywood’s growing global influence as evidence of Nigeria’s creative potential, urging practitioners to build on their achievements through stronger business structures, innovation and collaboration. According to him, the industry’s next phase of growth should go beyond international recognition to building sustainable enterprises, creating employment and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global creative economy.
Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), who moderated the interactive session, praised Dangote’s accomplishments, describing his industrial investments as an enduring contribution to Nigeria’s development.
“Your legacy has already been built, and its continuation is assured. You deserve all the praise and recognition you have received for what you have accomplished,” RMD said.
Nollywood actor Abdullateef Adedimeji described the visit as an inspiration, saying the scale of the refinery had challenged him to raise his ambitions and pursue greater accomplishments in the creative industry.
“Coming here today is a source of motivation for us. As someone in the film industry, this experience inspires me to push beyond my limits, broaden my imagination and strive for greater achievements, including making a more meaningful impact in my community,” he said.
Adedimeji also called for greater collaboration among Nollywood practitioners, drawing lessons from the coordination and partnerships underpinning Dangote’s industrial operations.
“That is what we need in Nollywood. The more we collaborate, the stronger and more successful we become,” he said.
NEWS
Protest Against Oil Company’s Vessel in Rivers Takes 10 Lives
No fewer than 10 people are feared dead after a protest against a vessel belonging to an indigenous oil company turned tragic at Kula community in Rivers State, following an alleged collision involving a community boat and a Nigerian Army gunboat.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning when members of the community took to the water in a boat to protest against the oil company’s vessel.
A community leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, disclosed this in a telephone interview with journalists in Port Harcourt.
Sara-Igbe, a former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alleged that a gunboat belonging to the Nigerian Army hit the protesters’ boat, causing some of its occupants to drown.
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He said efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of those who drowned during the incident.
The circumstances that led to the protest, the identities of the victims and the precise sequence of events surrounding the alleged collision were not immediately clear.
The Nigerian Army’s response to the allegation was also not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.
NEWS
FRSC Warns Drivers After Brake Failure Kills Two in Kano Crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash involving a fully loaded tipper truck and a Mercedes-Benz car along the Kano-Zaria Road at Dangi Underpass.
The fatal crash occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and involved a Howo tipper truck with registration number RMG 332 XA, loaded with bitumen, and a Mercedes-Benz C180 with registration number ABJ 783 GB.
According to a statement signed by the FRSC Kano Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, four male adults were involved in the crash, with two confirmed dead.
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Preliminary reports indicated that the crash was caused by brake failure in the loaded tipper truck, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.
The truck reportedly slid backwards and collided with the Mercedes-Benz behind it, leading to the fatal incident.
FRSC rescue personnel and other emergency responders evacuated the victims to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
Reacting to the incident, the Kano Sector Commander, Corps Commander Idris Mohammed Lawal, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.
Lawal also urged the affected families to find the strength to bear the loss.
The Sector Commander warned motorists, transport unions, construction companies and fleet operators against neglecting regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the inspection and servicing of critical components such as braking systems and tyres.
He emphasised the importance of defensive driving, urging motorists to maintain safe following distances, remain alert to changing road conditions and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.
Lawal stressed that regular vehicle maintenance, responsible driving and strict compliance with road safety regulations remain essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and saving lives.





