EFCC to go after top lawyer over missing N6bn loot

According to The Nation, there is another missing $400million loot of the late dictator on the Island.

The EFCC may go after a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Damian Dodo, "any moment from now" over the funds, the newspaper reports.

It quoted a source at the agency, saying: “We are probing the whereabouts of £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha which was recovered from the Island of Jersey. The EFCC cannot locate where the money was remitted to.

“According to records, the late Head of State allegedly stashed the funds through a Lebanese called Bhojwani. But when the Office of the AGF was alerted by a whistleblower, the government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan opened discussion with the Attorney-General of the Island of Jersey.

“The AG of the Island of Jersey cooperated fully with the government, leading to the repatriation of the £22.5m. We want to know where the money is; we need records from those involved.”

The source added that the EFCC would be "inviting Damian Dodo, who played a key role in securing the £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot for the Federal Government to give the details.”

READ: Nigerians react to fresh $300M Abacha loot

About another $400million Abacha loot also stashed on the Island, the source said it was not clear if the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan collected the funds.

He said: “There is also uncertainty about $400million Abacha loot on the Island.

“The government of Island of Jersey pledged to repatriate the stashed funds and even initiatted a process towards that. As I speak with you, no one can account for the $400million.

“What we have been hearing is that the Government of Island of Jersey was demanding a proportionate part of the funds. Again, there is uncertainty whether the loot was remitted or is diverted or still on the Island.

“This is why the EFCC team is stepping up investigation into Abacha loot on this tiny island.”

Reacting to the issue, Dodo told The Nation that a UK-based lawyer, Erico Monfrini collaborated with a three-man Federal Government team namely; Dodo, ex-Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) and EFCC’s ex- Secretary Mr. Emmanuel Akonmaye to retrieve the N6.18billion Abacha loot.

He said: “The EFCC was part of the negotiation for the repatriation of the £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot; it should just go through its records instead of calling for my head over nothing. The former Secretary of EFCC represented the commission at every stage of the recovery.

“The terms of agreement were clearly spelt out and the Federal Government provided the account in which the recovered funds should be paid. At inter-governmental level, the EFCC can ask the Federal Government to contact the Government of Island of Jersey for all transaction records.

“I have nothing to hide. No repatriation negotiation was done under the carpet at all. We did our best for this nation in recovering the looted funds. The Government of Island of Jersey wanted the substantial part of the money and we said ‘no’. We said Nigeria needed the money more than the Island of Jersey.

“ It is just vendetta. I have nothing to hide. They have searched all my accounts in order to find out whether or not I transferred money to Adoke. They could not find anything against me. I think they are after the former AGF at all cost.

“The EFCC was involved from the beginning to the end, why can’t they check their records instead of scandalising me.”

When asked about the $400m still stashed on the Island the lawyer said the EFCC should reach out to the Island of Jersey government.