The President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has revealed that it inherited a total sum of N13.6 billion from the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as loot recovered from family of former Head of State, late Gen. Sani Abacha.
This was disclosed by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who spoke to journalists at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja.
The NEC is made up of state governors, federal attorney-general, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministries of National Planning, Finance, and Federal Capital Territory.
Ortom stated the balance of the Abacha loot as at end of November 2015 stood at $26,000,389 and £19,000,033 respectively.
As stated by the governor, giving the exchange rate of N260 per dollar and N360 per pound, the total balance is estimated at N13.6 billion.
Ortom stated the Buhari administration which came on board in May this year, has not touched the money.
He said: “We were also briefed on updates on Abacha loots in Council. The Accountant General of the Federation reported that the dollar account as at November 2015 ending has a balance of $26,000,389.00 while the pounds sterling has a balance of £19,000,033.00 That is where we are today.”
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, stated the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefuele, briefed the Council on foreign exchange policy.