SWITZERLAND AND NIGERIA DISCUSS RETURN OF ABACHA STOLEN MONEY

Switzerland and Nigeria discuss return of $300 million stolen by Abacha

Tue Jan 12, 2016 2:44pm GMT

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By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA Jan 12 (Reuters) - Authorities in Switzerland are in talks to arrange the return to Nigeria of $300 million confiscated from the family of its former military ruler, Sani Abacha, Nigeria's foreign minister said.

The corruption watchdog Transparency International has accused Abacha of stealing up to $5 billion of public money during his five years running the oil-rich nation, from 1993 until his death in 1998.

Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said $700 million had already been repatriated from Switzerland, adding that he met Swiss representatives last week for further talks.

"They have also now recovered, in the same context, another $300 million of which there is ongoing discussion to have that repatriated as well," he told journalists on Monday.

In 2014, Nigeria and the Abacha family reached an agreement for the West African country to get back the funds, which had been frozen, in return for dropping a complaint against Abba Abacha, the son of the former military ruler.

He was charged by a Swiss court with money-laundering, fraud and forgery in April 2005, after being extradited from Germany, and subsequently spent 561 days in custody. In 2006, Luxembourg ordered that funds held by the younger Abacha be frozen.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, who took office in May, has made tackling corruption a priority. He has asked the Britain and the United States for help recovering money stolen from Africa's biggest economy by some of the country's elite over several years. (Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram, editing by Larry King)

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The Headies 2015 Best Male Vocalist and R&B artiste ,Timi Dakolo, will be leading a 40-man ensemble on Friday 5 February at the third edition of “Love Is…The Musical” holding at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The musical, created and directed by Ice Nweke, will be the richest and most nuanced in the series thus far.

According to Clementine Vervelde, the event Producer, the idea behind this end

…The Musical is to take the exploration of the theme of love to a new elemental level that resonates with everyone at a very deep part of their soul.Yinka Davies

Yinka Davies“The reference to a journey or a quest or a search of love is one that the audience will understand and connect with. At the end of the day, those in attendance will go home having watched more than just a show, but having enriched their personal experience and understanding of what love is,” Vervelde said. Telling a musical story of three female characters – a poet, a professional dancer and a businesswoman – who are on a journey in search of love, the musical show follows their journey of discovery as they attempt to answer the question “What is Love?”

To be preceded by an art exhibition entitled “Love Becomes Art”, the night will also witness comedy sets from comedians Gordons, Igos and Emma Oh Ma God as well as performances by Yinka Davies and dance group Ijodi.

Completing the night’s A-list lineup are Efe Paul The Poet and The Poet Donna.

“Love Is…The Musical” is produced by Ixtreme and Limitless Mind Africa