The federal government has agreed to help the family of the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M. K. O Abiola, recover the late politician's assets trapped in some banks in Europe.
Already, the federal government has written through the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to the authorities in Switzerland and the United Kingdom requesting for their cooperation to retrieve the funds.
Although the value of assets of the late business mogul could not be ascertained, they are estimated by a family source to be worth millions of dollars.
However, for the government to enter into direct negotiations with the banks where the funds are domiciled, it requires the consent of all his children.
The decision by the federal government to assist with the recovery of Abiola’s assets was the fallout of a letter written to the presidency by one of the late businessman’s wives, Dr. Gloria Abiola, alleging forgery and criminal conversion of the will and estate of Abiola.
The presidency consequently minuted on the letter to the office of the AGF for action. After making some preliminary enquiries, the AGF’s office found that Abiola had money in some European countries and that the said countries were willing to help facilitate the process of returning the money.
But to be able to enter into full negotiations with these countries, the federal government requires the consent of the children of the late politician.
A copy of the letter from the office of the AGF titled, Re: Request for Investigation into Alleged Forgery and Criminal Conversion of the Will and Estate of Late M. K. O. Abiola, was obtained by our correspondent.
The letter reads: "I am directed by the Director, Public Prosecutions of the Federation to write and inform you (Dr. Gloria Abiola) of the position of the Ministry on the above subject matter.
"The Hon. Attorney General of the Federation has directed that the other beneficiaries of the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola's will to confirm whether or not they have consented to the action taken by you, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Abiola in trying to recover the assets and other documents from the Trust Fund set up by the late Chief around the world as contained in his will.
"It is understood that some countries are willing to cooperate in the process of returning some of the assets in their possession but that they are unsure whether or not all the 80 children and other beneficiaries included in the late Chief M. K. O Abiola's will are aware of the action taken by you.
“This prompted the directive of the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation in paragraph 2 above.
"It is in this light that I am directed to write and inform you to find a way of reaching out to, and getting the necessary confirmation from all concerned as the government can only take further action after getting the consent. "
The letter was signed for the AGF by Mr. Ahmed Almakura, a Senior State Counsel in the office of the AGF.
Reacting to the federal government's request, Dr. Abiola thanked the AGF for taking the bold step to recover Abiola's assets, which have allegedly been squandered.
She appealed to the children of the late politician to send their consent to the office of the AGF so that their father's assets would be recovered and shared among them.
She also suggested that they send a copy of their consent which should be by way of affidavit to the AGF's office and copy to her lawyer, O. J. Aboje and Co. in Abuja.
September 03, 2009, 11:20:03 AM