W’Bank wants more time to compile Abacha loot

The World Bank has said it needs more time to compile and furnish a Civil Society Organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project with information on the spending of the loot recovered from the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha.

The group had on September 21, 2015 sent an Access to Information Request to the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, asking him to release documents detailing the projects to which the loot recovered from Abacha was applied, as well as the implementation status of such projects.

The group had said such information would not only enable the Nigerian masses to know the status of the recovered loot but it would also equip the civil society organisations to engage the government on greater transparency and accountability.

SERAP, in a statement by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, on Sunday, however said it had received a letter from the World Bank, acknowledging its request and asking for more time to be able to supply comprehensive information on how the recovered Abacha loot was spent.

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According to SERAP, the said letter dated October 15, 2015, was signed by Ann May of the World Bank Access to Information Team.

It read, “In response to your request under AI3982, we would like to inform you that we are still considering your request and need additional time to provide you with a more comprehensive response.

“In most cases, we will be able to respond within 20 working days from the receipt of a request for information. However, we may need additional time in special circumstances, for example, if the request is complex or voluminous or if it requires further review by or consultation with internal World Bank units, external parties, the Access to Information Committee, or the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors.”

SERAP had in its request said the World Bank would not only be helping to strengthen Nigeria’s current anti-graft war, but the bank would also be preserving its own credibility and relevance by supplying the requested information on recovered Abacha loot.

SERAP added, “The World Bank has been involved in overseeing the transfer, disbursement and spending of the recovered funds from General Abacha, and other similar initiatives to repatriate stolen funds to Nigeria. As such, the World Bank is not a neutral party in this matter.

“SERAP believes that releasing the documents would enable the civil society to meaningfully engage in the management and supervision of repatriated funds, contribute to greater public good, and enhance transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s resources.

“There is also clear public interest in Nigerians knowing about the bank’s supervisory role and specifically its involvement in the implementation of the projects on which the repatriated funds were spent.”