Sani Abacha’s Family Criminal Court Forfeiture:The Supreme Court has set a date in the appeal by the late General Sani Abacha’s family for January 13, 2023. The family is attempting to stop efforts to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the former head of state and some members of his family over their alleged complicity in the looting of the country’s treasury while Abacha was in office.
After attorneys for all parties, including Dr. Reuben Atabo (SAN), for the Abacha family, delivered their final arguments and adopted their briefs, a five-member panel of the supreme court selected the date. The SC/641/2013 appeal was filed by Mohammed, the eldest surviving son of the late Abacha, and his brother Abba (for themselves and on behalf of the family of Gen. Abacha).
The National Security Adviser (NSS), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), DCP P. Y. Hana (Chairman, Special Investigation Panel), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur (of the Principality of Liechtenstein) are listed as respondents. The case is an appeal against the Court of Appeal, Kaduna, judgement from July 25, 2013, which upheld the Federal High Court’s decision from June 26, 2009, which dismissed the Abacha family’s lawsuit for lack of locus standi (the legal capacity to approach the court on the subject matter of the suit).
