Supreme Court orders Mohammed to be prosecuted over Abacha's loot

Mohammed Abacha

The Supreme Court has on Friday ordered Mohammed Abacha, the son of the late military head of state, General Sani Abacha to face trial in Abuja High Court bordering on possession of properties and funds stolen from the federal government during his father's reign in power.

The federal government has sought to try Mohammed  in an Abuja High Court for stealing and concealing funds during his father's reign on power but he took to court.

The charges filed against Mohammed bordered on conspiracy, receiving and concealing stolen property – in breach of provisions of the Penal Code.

 

However, even before taking his plea, Mohammed filed an appeal to challenge the Federal Government’s decision to try him.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, after which he headed for the Supreme Court.

In the judgement read by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the apex court held that Mohammed should stand trial for holding on to properties allegedly stolen by his father.

The apex court held that immunity did not extend beyond tenure of office and that even if the late head of state was alive, he could be prosecuted for a criminal offence “not to talk of his son who was never an occupant of the office of the Head of State.”

The court affirmed the decision of the Court of Apeal which held that the late former head of state's immunity did not extend to his son and ordered Mohammed to go and face his trial at the Abuja Court.