NEWS
Nigeria Urges U.S. To Return More Stolen Funds
The Nigerian Government has called upon the United States to repatriate additional illicit funds channeled through its banking system by Nigerian officials.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar made the appeal during the 6th Session of the Nigeria-US Bi-National Commission in Abuja on Monday.
Tuggar, represented by Adamu Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed the significance of increased U.S. assistance, noting that the $308 million returned thus far is inadequate compared to Nigeria’s cumulative losses from illegal fund transfers.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s dedication to leveraging these funds for the collective welfare of its citizens, consistent with agreements with development partners.
Notably, the funds are earmarked for infrastructure development, prioritizing projects such as roads, schools, education, and other critical sectors in need of significant investment.
The Perm. Sec. said, “I would like to appreciate the fallout of the Democratic National Convention held in February 2020 in Washington, DC. The governments of Nigeria, the United States, and Jersey signed a tripartite agreement to return to Nigeria the sum of over $308 million of funds stolen from the country.
“I would also urge the U.S. to do more because $308 million is a meagre amount when you look at the resources that Nigeria has lost over the years due to illegal transfers of funds from the country.
“The Nigerian government has committed to using these funds for the benefit of all Nigerians, as agreed with development partners. These funds are aimed at developing infrastructure, particularly projects in roads, schools, education, and other sectors of the economy that require this substantial return.”
Lamuwa underscored the significance and timeliness of this year’s theme, ‘Partnership for Mutual Benefit and Development,’ stressing the urgent necessity for collaborative efforts.
He emphasized that strengthening ties between two major democracies holds potential for a more robust partnership, fostering peace, prosperity, and advancement not only in Africa but globally.
In her address, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Molly Phee emphasized the pivotal role of security cooperation in the Nigeria-U.S. partnership.
Phee emphasized that without security, the pursuit of prosperity becomes arduous and human rights are jeopardized.
She underscored the collaborative endeavors aimed at addressing Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and piracy, which pose significant threats to its populace.
She said, “Security cooperation is another crucial aspect of our relationship. Without security, prosperity will be elusive and human rights threatened. Together, we are working to address the broad security challenges facing Nigeria, terrorism; banditry and piracy threaten its people.
“The U.S. is committed to helping Nigeria build more capable, professional and accountable security forces while ensuring respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms, including for religious minorities.”
Recall that on February 3, 2020, the Government of Jersey, Nigeria, and the U.S. government finalized an Asset Recovery Agreement, aiming to repatriate over $308 million of forfeited assets to Nigeria.
According to a statement released on the website of the United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, the funds were laundered through the U.S. banking system and subsequently held in bank accounts in Jersey under the name of Doraville Properties Corporation, a BVI company, and the son of former Head of State of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha.
The statement further elaborated, stating, ‘General Abacha and his associates stole and laundered many hundreds of millions of dollars of public money during his military regime, causing significant harm to the futures of his people.
The illicit funds were reportedly laundered by General Abacha’s family, including his sons Ibrahim and Mohammed, along with several close associates.
This laundering operation spanned across various jurisdictions, including the United States and European countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.
Furthermore, on January 16, 2024, a Royal Court in Jersey, Channel Islands, purportedly ruled for the repatriation of stolen assets valued at £6.9 million ($8.9 million) back to Nigeria.
These assets were allegedly diverted by Nigerian government officials in 2014, under the pretext of purchasing arms to combat Boko Haram terrorists.
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that improvements in economic growth and government revenue have not translated into better living conditions for Nigerians.
Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account on Monday, October 12, while reacting to the World Bank’s latest report on Nigeria’s economic performance and government spending priorities.
He argued that improvements in some macroeconomic indicators should not be interpreted as evidence that the standard of living of Nigerians is improving.
According to him, the real measures of economic development are poverty reduction, job creation and efforts to address inequality.
“Nigerians and even the World Bank know that the criteria for economic development is whether poverty is declining, whether jobs are created for our youths, and whether we are reducing acute inequality,” Obi stated.
He maintained that economic stability under the Tinubu administration had not resulted in higher living standards, improved employment opportunities or reduced poverty and inequality across the country.
Obi argued that an economy cannot be considered stable merely because government revenue increases, foreign reserves strengthen or gross domestic product grows.
“Stability exists when citizens can afford food, obtain healthcare, provide education for their children, and live with dignity,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor questioned the benefits of increased government revenue to Nigerians struggling to meet their basic needs.
“What comfort does higher revenue offer a mother who cannot provide her children with a nutritious meal? What does higher government revenue mean to a family forced to choose between purchasing food and paying for medicine?” he asked.
He also questioned the impact of the administration’s economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians, arguing that citizens continued to bear the costs and hardship associated with government policies.
Obi further cited a recent United Nations Development Programme report, which he said listed Nigeria among countries where gains made in reducing poverty had been reversed.
He also claimed that about 140 million Nigerians were classified as multidimensionally poor.
The former presidential candidate accused the Tinubu administration of presenting incomplete economic statistics to project progress without adequately addressing the welfare of citizens.
“President Bola Tinubu and his incompetent team must recognize that intentionally presenting and projecting incomplete economic statistics cannot replace the critical measure of how reform impacts on the welfare of the people,” he said.
Obi added that Nigerians should not be expected to celebrate economic statistics while struggling to survive the effects of government policies.
“A government cannot expect citizens to applaud statistics while they struggle to survive the effects of its policies,” he stated.
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed an application by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital seeking to stop a coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu Esege, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege.
Justice Aishat Opesanwo dismissed the hospital’s application on Monday, October 12, 2026, striking out its originating motion for writs of Certiorari and Prohibition.
The judge held that the hospital’s application was based on a fundamental misconception of the nature, jurisdiction and operation of a coroner’s court.
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Justice Opesanwo explained that Section 15(2) of the Lagos State Coroner’s System Law 2007 makes an inquest compulsory for a death in custody occurring within a medical facility.
She rejected the hospital’s argument that the cremation of the child and the absence of his body for post-mortem analysis deprived the coroner of jurisdiction.
According to the judge, the location where the death occurred, rather than the physical presence of a corpse during proceedings, determines the coroner’s authority.
The court further clarified that a coroner’s inquest is a fact-finding exercise aimed at establishing who died, how the death occurred, and when and where it happened, rather than a criminal or civil trial to determine liability or punish anyone.
“A coroner’s inquest is a fact-finding inquiry… It is not a trial. No one is on trial in a coroner’s court. Unlike other courts—whether civil or criminal—there is no claimant, prosecution, or defence,” Justice Opesanwo stated.
The judge also ruled that the coroner has statutory discretion to determine the sequence in which witness statements and evidence are presented.
She added that judicial review cannot be used to truncate a process mandated by state law.
Why Euracare Sought to Stop the Inquest
Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital had approached the High Court after the Lagos State Government activated a coroner’s inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death.
The hospital argued that proceeding without the child’s body for post-mortem analysis could lead to speculative conclusions and waste state resources.
It also contended that directing its medical personnel to present evidence first violated its constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
However, the court rejected the hospital’s application, paving the way for the inquest to proceed.
Background to Nkanu Esege’s Death
Nkanu Esege died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.
Following his death, his parents accused the hospital of gross medical negligence, alleging that an excessive dose of sedatives and the denial of oxygen led to cardiac arrest.
The hospital has maintained that the child arrived at its facility critically ill and received care consistent with standard medical protocols.
With the dismissal of the hospital’s application, the coroner’s inquest is expected to proceed to examine the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death.
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