Abacha Loot: Trump Ends Investigation

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has disbanded the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, a specialized unit responsible for tracking assets linked to international corruption, including billions of dollars looted by Nigeria’s late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, Peoples Gazette reports.  

A source familiar with the development confirmed that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, under authorization from President Donald Trump, quietly dismantled the team earlier this week. The move is part of a broader effort by the administration to phase out several government programs.

The initiative, launched in 2010, played a key role in recovering stolen funds and prosecuting those involved in financial crimes. It was instrumental in ongoing litigation concerning Abacha’s looted funds, some of which were allegedly linked to Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning under President Bola Tinubu.

Observers fear that disbanding the unit could hamper efforts to trace additional undiscovered Abacha funds, which investigators suspect remain hidden in various jurisdictions.

Despite attempts to obtain official reactions, neither Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), nor Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, responded to requests for comment.

It remains unclear how the DOJ will proceed with existing cases in U.S. courts or whether it will continue collaborating with authorities in the United Kingdom and other nations to recover the looted funds.

The Trump administration defended its decision, stating that it aims to shift focus toward dismantling narcotics and human trafficking networks.