Senior Advocate of Nigeria and rights activist Femi Falana has criticised former military head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar for dismissing longstanding corruption allegations against the late General Sani Abacha.
In an interview published by The Sun on 26 June 2026, Abubakar claimed Abacha never stole public funds. He described the so-called Abacha loot as money the late dictator had set aside for Nigeria on the advice of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, former Benin Republic President Mathieu Kérékou and others. The funds, he said, were meant to protect the country from financial hardship if international sanctions froze its accounts.
Falana rejected the explanation, accusing Abubakar of “belatedly” joining a “dubious campaign to sanitise the ignominious Abacha era.” He noted that while Gaddafi and Kérékou are no longer alive to confirm or deny the claim, they could not have advised Abacha to engage in the “reckless looting of the nation’s treasury.”
The senior lawyer argued that Abubakar’s latest comments contradict his own actions as head of state. On 23 July 1998, Abubakar set up a Special Investigation Panel (SIP), headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Peter Gana, specifically to probe the looting and corruption of the Abacha years. The panel’s November 1998 report detailed how Abacha approved fake funding requests for security operations and equipment through his National Security Adviser. Cash in dollars and pounds was released by the Central Bank of Nigeria and channelled to Abacha’s family members and business associates. Properties were also acquired with the stolen funds.
Abubakar accepted the SIP findings and signed the Forfeiture of Assets, Etc. (Certain Persons) Decree No. 53 of 1999. Under the decree, Abacha, his family members, political associates and allies forfeited $636,263,187.19, £75,306,886.93, DM 30 million and N547 million, plus 30 per cent shares in two Sierra Leonean refineries valued at $380,000. Several properties in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Zaria, along with expensive official vehicles, were also seized.
Falana said Abubakar was the first Nigerian leader to “indict, name and shame” Abacha for large-scale treasury looting. Having recovered assets worth more than $750 million, the former head of state “cannot be permitted to cover up the grand larceny of his predecessor” or claim the loot was money saved for the government.
The rights activist called on Abubakar to apologise to Nigerians, withdraw the statement that the Abacha loot is a hoax, and step down as chairman of the National Peace Committee. Falana also released a copy of Decree No. 53 of 1999, signed by Abubakar on 26 May 1999, which lists the funds and properties as having been “acquired corruptly and illegally.”
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
