Obasanjo in Switzerland, Speaks On Abacha Loot

[Richard Akindele]

Josephine Lohor With Agency Report
Abuja

President Olusegun Oba-sanjo yesterday in Bern, Switzerland, expressed his optimism that more funds looted from Nigeria and stashed away in foreign countries by the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and other past government officials would be repatriated soon.

The President who spoke at a joint press conference after bilateral talks with the Swiss President, Mr. Motirz Leuenberger, stated that the campaign for the return of all looted monies was high on the agenda of his administration.

Obasanjo, who arrived in Switzerland on Wednesday on a two- day visit, disclosed that his government was encouraged not to relent in the war because of the cooperation of the Swiss authorities in repatriating a huge chunk of public funds misappropriated by Abacha and his cronies.

The President's delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olu Adeniji, and the Finance Minister, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala.

The visit is believed to be in furtherance of diplomatic moves to recover looted public monies stashed in banks across Europe.

Obasanjo described the return of some of Nigeria's looted funds by Switzerland as an example for handling such cases in future.

"We are amicably, constitutionally and transparently resolving the matter, and the example of what happens here in Switzerland will help us recover any monies anywhere else in the world", he said.

He further said that bilateral issues such as double taxation, asylum seekers and bilateral air services agreements had been discussed and agreements reached with the Government of Switzerland.

The President acknowledged the efforts of the Swiss government in providing resources to repatriate unsuccessful asylum seekers back to Nigeria.

Speaking on Nigeria's relationship with Switzerland, which President Obasanjo described as very cordial, he stated that the visit would enable better understanding between the two leaders and countries.

While commenting on situations in West Africa, he said "the region is fast becoming a haven of peace," citing the resolution of crises in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Guinea Bissau as examples of positive indications in the sub-region.

"We believe Cote d'Ivoire will soon return to peace, as well", he stressed, while asserting that democracy was fast becoming the accepted form of government in the continent, pointing to successful elections in Liberia and Benin Republic.

The President added that this year had shown a good sign that Africa was moving in the right direction, explaining that "Over 50 per cent of African nations have experienced five per cent growth economically over the past year".

He also pointed out that " Nigeria's growth in the same period had been seven per cent, while agriculture has grown by over eight per cent, and we have set a target of 10 per cent, which we believe is achievable".

He urged the global community to support leaders of the continent in their resolve to seek African solutions to problems besetting their people, stating that any poor nation in the world remained a blot on the world conscience.

In his remarks, President Leuenberger promised to put Africa on the front burner of his one-year presidency, by encouraging visits, conferences and creating awareness among his compatriots.
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