Abacha’s Family Drags Tinubu, Wike to Court, Reason Emerges

Abacha’s Family Drags Tinubu, Wike to Court, Reason Emerges

  • Former first lady, Hajia Mariam Sani Abacha and her eldest son, Mohammed, have dragged President Tinubu and FCT minister Nyesom Wike to court
  • On Wednesday, an appeal was filed by the family to challenge the recovery of the alleged unlawfully revoked property belonging to the late head of state, General Sani Abacha
  • The property situated in Abuja, revoked by the Nigerian government, was allegedly sold to a private company, Salamed Ventures Limited, without the family's knowledge and approval

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The family of the late former head of state, General Sani Abacha, appealed the judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed its claim over an Abuja property on Wednesday, July 24.

Abuja property: Abacha's family drags FG, Wike to court
Abacha’s family sues Tinubu and FCT minister Nyesom Wike. Photo credit: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike - CON, GSSRS
Source: Facebook

Justice Peter Lifu ruled on July 19 that the family lacked the locus standing to file the suit challenging the revocation of its property in Maitama District and demanding N500 million in compensation.

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Daily Trust reported that in a notice of appeal filed on July 23 by its counsel, Reuben Atabo (SAN), the family led by Mohammed Sani Abacha and Hajia Maryam Sani Abacha contended that the trial court erred on 11 grounds in dismissing the suit.

The appeal, which joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), and Salamed Ventures Ltd, is demanding an order of the appellate court settting aside the sale and transfer of the property, Vanguard reported.

As reported by Leadership, the family is contending that the transfer occurred during the pendency of the appeal between them and the FCDA, contrary to the decision of the Supreme Court in the case.

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According to them, Mohammed Abacha, the 1st appellant, disclosed his status as the eldest surviving son of the late General Sani Abacha, while the 2nd appellant, Mariam Abacha, also disclosed her capacity in the suit as the widow of the late General Sani Abacha.

They claimed that they had the locus standi to institute the action either with or without Letters of Administration to the property of the former head of state.

EFCC discovers fraudulent COVID funds, Abacha loot

In another development, Legit.ng reported that the EFCC made some worrisome discoveries in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Among the finds are fraudulent dealings involving COVID-19 funds, World Bank loans, and late General Sani Abacha's recovered loot.

In a statement released on Sunday, April 14, 2024, the EFCC's spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the funds were released to the ministry by the federal government to execute poverty alleviation programmes.

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Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.