The visiting France Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, who disclosed this in Abuja, had said she had informed President Tinubu about the planned return of the seized fund.
The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy (GCSDN) in Nigeria has asked French president, Emmanuel Macron, not to transfer the $150 million looted by the late Nigerian Head of State, Sani Abacha in cash to the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
The Nigerian government had on Friday said France will return $150 million looted by former Nigerian military leader, late Abacha.
The visiting France Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, who disclosed this in Abuja, had said she had informed President Tinubu about the planned return of the seized fund.
Colonna had noted that the stolen funds would be returned to the country in the form of grants, and discussions would soon be opened with the Nigerian government on where to invest the funds.
However, GCSDN in a letter signed by Comrade Frederick Odorige, Global Coordinator, dated November 7, 2023 and addressed to Emmanuel Macron, opposed the repatriation of the loot in form of cash.
The organisation in the letter copied to Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France and Emmanuelle BLATMANN, Ambassador of France to Nigeria, noted that the Nigerian government had refused to give detailed account of Abacha`s loots that were previously returned by the government of different countries and how the funds were spent.
It explained that there are strong indications that some of the repatriated funds were re-looted and that the $150 million intend to return will also be re-looted.
The letter reads in part; "The Planned Return of $150 million looted by the late Nigerian Head of State, Dictator Sani Abacha: A Request to Transfer the Funds for the Construction of Nigerian Roads
"Our organisation focuses on the promotion of democracy, security and other humanitarian activities in Nigeria. We are aware that your government has kindly decided to return $150 million stolen from Nigerians by the late Nigerian head of State, military dictator Sani Abacha.
"Your gesture is very well appreciated. We are writing to strongly oppose the repatriation of the loot in form of cash.
"Till date, the Nigerian government has refused to give detailed account of Abacha`s loots that were previously returned by the government of different countries and how the funds were spent.
"In July 2023, the Federal High Court through Justice James Omotosho, ordered the Federal Government to provide the details of how it spent about $5bn loot earlier recovered from the late General Sani Abacha. Till date, the government of Nigeria has bluntly refused to obey the court order.
"There are strong indications that some of the repatriated funds were re-looted and that the $150 million you intend to return will also be re-looted. There is a growing distrust at the appropriation of our common resources as the level of corruption continues to increase.
"Therefore, we wish to respectfully suggest, that for the funds to be useful to Nigerians, you could direct your embassy in Nigeria to select some very important roads in Nigeria that need urgent reconstruction.
"The cost of such roads should be the equivalent of the $150 million. The contract for the construction of such roads should be awarded by you, directly to construction companies with an agreed date of completion.
"The Nigerian Ministry of Works could be a witness to the signing of such contracts and nothing more. The $150m should be paid by you directly to such construction companies.
"Please, spend the money for the visible benefits of Nigerians. However, if the current government of Nigeria disagrees with this term of transfer, you may need to keep the fund for the use of any future Nigerian administration that will agree to this term.”
"We have decided to write to you because various complaints and suggestions by the Nigerian people are being ignored by the government. We hope that your kind consideration of this proposal will be of benefit to our people," it added.