General Sanni Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, Hamza Al-Mustapha, has given the indication that there was massive looting after the dictator suddenly died in 1998.
A lot of money traced to Abacha has been repatriated from various countries, amounting to more than $3bn.
Although Al-Mustapha is also claiming that Abacha deliberately kept the money abroad for Nigeria, he said the real looting happened after the General’s death.
Many people have been wondering whether it is only Abacha who stole, with some calling for the probe of the likes of his predecessor, General Ibrahim Babangida (red) and Abacha’s successor, General Abdusalami Abubakar.
Based on Al-Mustapha’s allegation, the latter may particularly have a question to answer.
He said during a recent interview:
“I’m surprised at the way Abacha is being blackmailed. I am surprised because when he assumed leadership, Nigeria had less than $2 billion in the foreign reserve. Things were not organised.
“But within four years and eight months, he did what was possible to raise it to over $9 billion. But after his death, all these billions vanished in nine months. The person that raised Nigeria’s image and enhanced security is now the subject of insult. But those who shared the money he left are still alive and untouchable.”
“I’m saying this based on what I know and based on trust to Nigerians, their dignity and honour. I’ve said it that there was a period Nigeria was to be sanctioned. So there were plans to keep money overseas so that Nigeria and Nigerians would not suffer when the sanction was imposed on the country.
“We gathered emirs and chiefs from the South and from the North together with VIPs of that time, those in government and those outside government. We met at a place called Camp Bassey Officers’ Mess in the Brigade of Guards. It was there we deliberated on the threat to sanction Nigeria. Many decisions were taken.
“The meeting was also attended by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning, the CBN etc.
“It is surprising. You should know when a person is opening an account, it is that very person that will go to the bank for biometric capture. ’The person’s photograph will be taken, he will avail the bank with the required information, the source of the money, all these are requirements that must be met.
“What justification have they to say the accounts belonged to him? Have they ever seen where late Abacha appended his signature or thumb print that the money belonged to him?
