The Presidency has revealed that France has agreed to return $150 million looted by former Nigerian military leader, General Sani Abacha.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale made this known on Friday after President Bola Tinubu met Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonna.
According to Ngelale, Tinubu commended the European country for the decision which further strengthens the bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, .
“Thank you for the good news on the return of Abacha loot. We appreciate your effective cooperation concerning the return of Nigeria’s money. It will be judiciously applied in attaining our development objectives,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The president also acknowledged the signing of a €100 million agreement between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE programme — a Federal Government initiative to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Arts Industries.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Technology, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs at an earlier event at Tafawa Balewa House, the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In her remarks, Colonna conveyed the goodwill of President Emmanuel Macron and expressed France’s readiness to expand mutually beneficial collaboration with Nigeria across multiple sectors.
Speaking on the Abacha loot, 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. Sometimes, justice may be slow, but this is a very good achievement,” she said.
