Abacha's son released
2002-09-24 00:21
Anuja - Nigeria has released the son of former military dictator Sani
Abacha from custody, the presidency said on Monday, but is still
seeking the return of one billion dollars allegedly looted
by his family.
A statement from President Olusegun Obasanjo's office said that
Mohammed Abacha, who was arrested earlier this year on a variety of
charges, had been released to a high-level delegation from his home
town, Kano.
The statement said that Obasanjo had acted in the interests of
justice but added that "no-one should be allowed to get away with
the blatant corruption perpetrated by the Abacha family."
Sani Abacha died in 1998 after five years as Nigeria's military
dictator.
Earlier this year Nigeria struck a deal with the Abacha family
to allow tham to keep 100 million dollars in money accrued under
his rule in exchange for returning a further one billion dollars to
federal coffers.
The family is said to have dragged its feet over the issue.
Mohammed Abacha was due to be released last week from prison
after a court threw out charges that he ordered the assassination
of one of his father's most strident critics, but the presidency
intervened and he was rearrested.
The move raised tensions in Kano, and several leading northern
figures have lobbied for his release.
The president's statement called on the delegation and leading
members of the family to put pressure on Sani Abacha's widow,
Mohammed's mother, to ensure the release of the funds.
Mohammed Abacha signed an agreement upon release to submit to
police surveillance and not try to leave the country.
- Sapa-AFP
- SAPA