South Africa has indicated her willingness to return the more than $15 million seized from some Nigerians last year in a move designed to please the country’s new president.
This is contrary to claims earlier by South African Ambassador to NIGERIA
, Lulu Mnguni, that the money seized by the South African Government had been released to NIGERIA.
, Lulu Mnguni, that the money seized by the South African Government had been released to NIGERIA.
It would be recalled that the South African Government had, on September 5, 2014, seized $9.3m cash belonging to Nigeria and a month later seized another $5.7m, claiming that both funds were to be used for illegal purchase of arms.
But The Mail & Guardian reported yesterday that, Muhammadu Buhari, president-elect made positive overtures to Jacob Zuma of South Africa before the elections and relations between the TWO countries are likely to improve.
countries are likely to improve.
“South Africa is considering returning the Nigerian money that it confiscated last year, or clearing the way to sell arms to the West African country” The Mail & Guardian reported.
The newspaper also has learned through diplomatic sources that South Africa has begun talks to work out a process to return the money in an effort to START off on a clean slate with the recently elected government of the Nigerian president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
off on a clean slate with the recently elected government of the Nigerian president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
South African law enforcement agencies seized $15 million in TWO batches: $5.7-million that had been wired to Standard Bank and $9.3-million in cash, which was confiscated.
batches: $5.7-million that had been wired to Standard Bank and $9.3-million in cash, which was confiscated.
It was brought into the country through Lanseria airport in Johannesburg in THREE suitcases by a delegation said to represent the Nigerian government. In both cases, the money was suspected to be for illegal use.
suitcases by a delegation said to represent the Nigerian government. In both cases, the money was suspected to be for illegal use.
Now South Africa wants to use the money to extend an olive branch to Buhari’s government and mend relations between the TWO countries, which became strained during the tenure of outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan.
countries, which became strained during the tenure of outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan.
“The positive thing about [Buhari] is that ONE of the people who supported him is Atiku Abubakar. That makes him our man and he will automatically work well with [President Jacob] Zuma,” a government source said
of the people who supported him is Atiku Abubakar. That makes him our man and he will automatically work well with [President Jacob] Zuma,” a government source said
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