Swiss to return $290m 'state funds' to Nigeria from late dictator's accounts
By Balz Bruppacher, AP writer, in Berne
Published: 10 September 2005
Banks in Switzerland have been told to start returning to Nigeria $290m (£158m) in funds seized from accounts linked to the late dictator Sani Abacha.
"The transfer became possible with the signing of an agreement with the World Bank to monitor Nigeria's use of the funds," said Livio Zanolari, a spokesman for the Swiss Justice Ministry.
The $290m was to be paid immediately to the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Mr Zanolari said. The international bank will then credit it to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
A second instalment of $170m will be made when assets have been converted to cash, said Mr Zanolari, but he said he did not know how long that would take. That second instalment will complete the payment of all the funds found in Switzerland, he said.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/africa/article311530.ece