Supreme Court Dismisses Abacha Family's Bid To Stop Fresh Probe

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Sani Abacha's family to prevent the federal government from resuming criminal forfeiture proceedings against the former head of state.

The government's move to reopen the fraud probe is targeted at some family members over their alleged complicity in looting the nation’s treasury during Abacha’s administration

Delivering judgment on Friday, the apex court, led by Emmanuel Agim, upheld the judgments of both the federal high court and the court of appeal, which had previously supported the federal government's authority to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the family.

The appeal marked: SC/641/2013 was filed by Mohammed, the eldest surviving son of Abacha, and his brother, Abba.

Listed as respondents are the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), the inspector-general of police (IGP), DCP P. Y. Hana (chairman, special investigation panel), the national security adviser (NSA) and Sonja Nachbaur of the Principality of Liechtenstein.