Abacha loot:Switzerland has returned $700m to Nigeria- Swiss envoy

Nearly 15 years after the death of General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s former military ruler, the Swiss Government has said that it has so far returned to Nigeria the sum of $700 million stolen by the late dictator and deposited in several Swiss banks.

The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Hans-Rudolf Hodel, announced the figure at a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

Hodel also hinted that his country had begun proceedings in Geneva against one of Abacha’s sons -Abba, for allegedly sponsoring a criminal organization but did not give further details.

see full deets after the cut

The envoy explained also that in the last 15 years, Switzerland has returned about $1.7 billion of illicit money to their countries of origin including Angola, Peru, Nigeria and the Philippines.

The briefing was in respect of an international seminar by the Switzerland embassy and the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, and Combating the Financing of Terrorism.

The envoy however used the forum to deny the existence of fresh $1 billion being alluded to by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as still being held by the Swiss banks.

Hodel stated that the Abacha’s case in particular compelled his country to adopt more stringent measures to combat illicit dealings in its financial sector.

He said: “Swiss banking secrecy does not give any protection against criminal prosecution, neither within Switzerland nor regarding international legal assistance. Additional measures prevent assets from being withdrawn before foreign authorities and law enforcement agencies submit a formal request for legal assistance or information for investigative purposes.”

He expressed the hope that the repatriated funds would not be embezzled by corrupt officials of the benefitting nations.

He also spoke on the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Switzerland noting that $225 million was invested by Swiss businesses in the Nigerian economy in 2010 up from $201 million in 2009.

It will be recalled that a Geneva court had two months ago confirmed the sentence handed down on the son of the former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha for belonging to a criminal organisation linked to looted assets charges.

Source:  Vanguard

Late Fela Kuti Gets Verified On Twitter

It is definitely true that once a legend, always a Legend. The account was opened 3years ago and has more than 3000 followers

Mikel Obi deletes twitter account after racist abuse; Chelsea calls police

Mikel Obi today deleted his Twitter account after he was racially abused for 'costing' Chelsea victory in the opening match of their Champions League defence against Juventus yesterday Wednesday Sept. 19th.

The match ended 2-2 and Chelsea fans blamed Mikel for giving the ball away just ten minutes before time and also not preventing the equalizing goal. After the end of the game, Chelsea fans racially abused Mikel on his Twitter account @Mikel12Official, prompting the Super Eagles midfielder to delete the account which he set up just a few months back.

Chelsea said they have informed the police after being made aware of the racist Tweets. A statement read:
We've been made aware of racist tweets targeted at Mikel which are totally unacceptable, disgusting and abhorrent. We've informed the police and support taking the strongest possible action."

MAY D’S YOUTUBE ACCOUNT DELETED

 

It’s no more news that pop singer May D has been taken off the roaster of Square Records, the label he once called home until his recent depature.

It is however interesting to learn that the singer’s official YouTube page has also been deleted. Apparently managed by internet video streaming service Iroko Partners, the page was deleted two days along with his videos – ‘Soundtrack’ and ‘Ile Ijo’. Other streams that were taken off with the page include still clips of the above mentioned songs.

Square Records’ Youtube accounts are also managed by Iroko Partners. It is however unclear who deleted the account – Square Records, Iroko or even May D himself.

The singer’s songs are however still available on Iroko music iroking.com. E-mails sent to Iroko have not been replied. Square Records have also kept mum on the matter.

In a recent interview, the pop twins Psquare disclosed that May D’s leaving the label had to do with ‘management issues’.