Former Chief of Army
Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi, yesterday, said that Late Gen. Sani
Abacha, was not the corrupt leader he was said to be and that the
concept of “Abacha Loot” was a media creation.
He made excuses for Nigerian funds stashed in foreign countries by the
Gen. Abacha government, saying that it was because of the challenges the
nation had with Western countries, at the time.
He spoke during a public presentation of his book, “Vindication of
Abacha” which represents a spirited attempt to present Late Gen. Abacha
in good light, in Abuja.
Gen. Bamayi noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was part of the Abacha
government which was why foreign governments were reluctant to listen
to him on the request to return funds stashed abroad by the Abacha
regime.
He said, “If you remember, we had problem in Sierra Leone and Liberia
under Abacha government and it was money realised under Abacha regime
that we used to buy weapons and ammunition to help them fight. I am
happy the former minister of finance said the money was not looted but
things happen and when things happen like that and you are not here to
defend yourself rumours will just be flying.
“I am not holding brief for Abacha but I would not be in a position to
know if money was looted. What I know is that things do happen and I
know that Abacha did very well for the country. If we see him from the
bad aspect, we should also look at his good aspect and remember him for
the good things he did for the country. That is why I said Abacha loot
is a media creation”.
Also speaking, former Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, who was
Chairman of the occasion, urged the federal government to make public,
the status of the Abacha loot by telling Nigerians how much has been
recovered, how much left.
He said that the several coups and counter coups after his
administration were for reasons other than the unity of the nation. –
Vanguard.
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