Mohammed Abacha
Encyclopedia
Mohammed Abacha is the eldest surviving son of Nigeria's former military dictator, the late General Sani Abacha
, and Maryam Abacha
.
A preliminary report published by the Abdulsalam Abubakar transitional government in November 1998 described the process. Sani Abacha told his National Security Adviser Ismaila Gwarzo
to provide fake funding requests, which Abacha approved. The funds were usually sent in cash or travellers' cheques by the Central Bank of Nigeria
to Gwarzo Kuncnoni, who took them to Abacha's house. Mohammed Abacha then arranged to launder the money to offshore accounts.
An estimated $1.4 billion in cash was delivered in this way.
, head of The Guardian
, an opposition newspaper.
Sani Abacha's Chief Security Officer Hamza al-Mustapha
was his co-defendant.
In 2002 Abacha was ultimately acquitted and released by President Olusegun Obasanjo. This was after an agreement was reached between the government and the Abacha family that they would hand over the balance of funds embezzled during his father's rule.
Musa Umar Kazaure of The Weekly Trust
said that the move was politically motivated.
The prison did not immediately release Mohammed Abacha after Obasanjo acquitted him.
ON April 18, 2005 Justice Amina Adamu Augie of the Court of Appeal in Abuja said that Mohammed Abacha would undergo a trial at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory due to offenses related to the stealing of public funds. Mohammed Abacha filed an appeal to fight the judgment.
As of 2008 he is married with two children, a son named after his father and a daughter.
.
Sani Abacha
General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military leader and politician. A Kanuri from Borno by tribe, he was born and brought up in Kano, Nigeria. He was the de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998....
, and Maryam Abacha
Maryam Abacha
Maryam Abacha is the widow of Sani Abacha, de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998.After the death of Sani Abacha in June 1998, Maryam Abacha attempted to leave Nigeria with suitcases filled with money. She was arrested, placed on 24-hour surveillance, and banned from leaving Nigeria...
.
Money laundering
During his father's military rule, Mohammed Abacha was involved in looting the government.A preliminary report published by the Abdulsalam Abubakar transitional government in November 1998 described the process. Sani Abacha told his National Security Adviser Ismaila Gwarzo
Ismaila Gwarzo
Aliyu Ismaila Gwarzo was the National Security Advisor of Nigerian military ruler Sani Abacha. He has been linked to theft of $2.45 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria.-Head of State Security Service:...
to provide fake funding requests, which Abacha approved. The funds were usually sent in cash or travellers' cheques by the Central Bank of Nigeria
Central Bank of Nigeria
The Central Bank of Nigeria was established by the CBN Act of 1958 and commenced operations on July 1, 1959.The major regulatory objectives of the bank as stated in the CBN act of 1958 is to: issue legal tender, maintain the external reserves of the country, promote monetary stability and a sound...
to Gwarzo Kuncnoni, who took them to Abacha's house. Mohammed Abacha then arranged to launder the money to offshore accounts.
An estimated $1.4 billion in cash was delivered in this way.
Arrest and deal with government
In 1999, Abacha was arrested and charged with the murder of Kudirat Abiola (wife of MKO Abiola) and the attempted murder of Alex IbruAlex Ibru
Alex Ibru was a Nigerian businessman, founder and publisher of The Guardian newspaper, who was Minister of Internal Affairs from 1993 to 1995 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha.-Background:...
, head of The Guardian
The Guardian (Nigeria)
The Guardian is an independent daily newspaper published in Nigeria by Guardian Newspapers Limited.The Guardian has been described as "Nigeria's most respected newspaper".-Foundation:...
, an opposition newspaper.
Sani Abacha's Chief Security Officer Hamza al-Mustapha
Hamza al-Mustapha
Hamza al-Mustapha was the Chief Security Officer of General Sani Abacha, military head of state of Nigeria from November 1993 to June 1998. After Abacha's death he was arrested and tried for murder and attempted murder...
was his co-defendant.
In 2002 Abacha was ultimately acquitted and released by President Olusegun Obasanjo. This was after an agreement was reached between the government and the Abacha family that they would hand over the balance of funds embezzled during his father's rule.
Musa Umar Kazaure of The Weekly Trust
Media Trust
Media Trust is a privately held Nigerian newspaper publishing company based in Abuja that publishes the English language Daily Trust, Weekly Trust, Sunday Trust and the Hausa language Aminiya newspapers as well as a new Pan-African Magazine, Kilimanjaro....
said that the move was politically motivated.
The prison did not immediately release Mohammed Abacha after Obasanjo acquitted him.
ON April 18, 2005 Justice Amina Adamu Augie of the Court of Appeal in Abuja said that Mohammed Abacha would undergo a trial at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory due to offenses related to the stealing of public funds. Mohammed Abacha filed an appeal to fight the judgment.
As of 2008 he is married with two children, a son named after his father and a daughter.
Legacy
Like his father and mother, Mohammed Abacha has been referenced in 419 scamsAdvance fee fraud
An advance-fee fraud is a confidence trick in which the target is persuaded to advance sums of money in the hope of realizing a significantly larger gain...
.