The French government has made its intention to return looted public money running into $150 million [N117,232,500,000] to the Nigerian government.
The money was stolen by former military president General Sani Abacha and stashed away in France.
Catherine Colonna, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, said France is returning the money to strengthen the France–Nigeria partnership.
“We will start discussions with the Nigerian administration to allocate these $150 million to development projects that will benefit the population, according to the priorities of the Nigerian government,” she added.
The French Minister said the repatriation followed the completion of legal processes. “It was a long process, but we are glad that it was concluded,” Colonna said.
When repatriated, President Bola Tinubu said the money will be “judiciously applied in attaining our development objectives.”
President Tinubu met with Minister Colona last Friday at the State House, Abuja.
Since the passing of General Abacha, the funds he stole from the nation’s coffers during his regime [1993–1998] estimated to be between $3 and $5 billion by Transparency International have been sent back to Nigeria in tranches.
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