Supreme Court Dismisses Abacha Family’s Suit Seeking To Stop FG From Seizing Their Assets

Supreme Court has dismissed a suit by the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, seeking to stop moves by the Federal Government to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the former general.

Sani Abacha’s Family Loses Bid To Stop FG’s Fresh Probe

The fresh probe by the government is targeted at Abacha’s family members over their alleged complicity in looting the nation’s treasury during his administration.

In his judgment on Friday, January 13, 2023, Justice Emmanuel dismissed the suit brought before the Supreme Court for want of merit and substance.

The Supreme Court upheld the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had earlier endorsed the power of the Federal Government to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the family.

The appeal was filed by the eldest surviving son of the late Abacha, Mohammed and his brother, Abba (for themselves and on behalf of the family of Gen. Abacha).

This comes months after the UK government announced the recovery of about $23.5 million stolen from Nigeria by Abacha and his family.