From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on western countries to return stolen assets, stressing that the clamour for the repatriation of looted treasures is becoming irresistible.

The president made the call in an opinion piece titled: “The West must return Africa’s stolen assets as well as its artefacts,” released by the Presidency.

Related News

According to him, Nigeria has undoubtedly been the most successful African country in obtaining the return of stolen funds, although it has only succeeded in recovering a small portion of what is still in the West.

He recalled that Nigeria was forced to file a lawsuit against the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency earlier this year as a result of repeated delays in receiving money that former dictator, Sani Abacha had transferred out of the nation in the 1990s. 

He noted that the court case, however, makes clear how big the challenge. He further noted that up to $5 billion was allegedly diverted by Abacha to the West. This case only involved £150 million.