Supreme Court Strikes Out Case Seeking Immunity For Abacha Family

By Uche Mbah

The Supreme Court of Nigeria,  Friday, struck out a suit instituted by the family of the late dictator, Sani Abacha, praying the Court to stop the Federal government from reopening criminal proceedings against the former ruler’s family.

Abacha ruled the Country after the June 12 crisis which threw up the Interim Government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan, now late.

Abacha’s reign was characterized by unprecedented corruption. Part of his loot stashed overseas are being repatriated in batches by the various countries involved.

Recently, Government moved to reopen fraud cases targeted at some family members said to be complicit in looting the country during his hare days.

But in its ruling Friday, 13th January, 2023, read by   Justice Emmanuel Agim, on behalf of his brother- Justices, the Supreme Court threw out the suit for lack of merit.

In doing this he upheld the judgement of the lower Courts – both the Federal High Court and Appeal Court – which had earlier  thrown out the case thereby backing the Federal Government’s position.

The Appeal, filed by the eldest surviving son on behalf of the family, had joined the Attorney-general of the Federation, Abubaker Malami, SAN,  the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba; DCP P. Y. Hana (Chairman, Special Investigation Panel), the National Security Adviser (NSS) and Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur (of the Principality of Liechtenstein).

Over $5.3 billion has been returned by various countries under different Nigerian Governments within three decades.