The Presidency on Friday said, “France will return $150 million looted by former Nigerian military leader, General Sani Abacha.”

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said President Bola Tinubu commended the European country for the decision.

Receiving the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonna, the highly-elated President hailed the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, noting that this progress followed his visit to Paris after his inauguration.

“Thank you for the good news on the return of Abacha loot. We appreciate your effective cooperation concerning the return of Nigeria’s money. It will be judiciously applied in attaining our development objectives,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.

While emphasising the need to reinforce collaboration on both political and economic fronts, the President welcomed the growing cooperation between the two countries in areas of shared interest, such as climate change, economic integration, education, and culture.

Tinubu also acknowledged the signing of a €100 million agreement between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE programme — a Federal Government initiative to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Arts Industries.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Technology, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs at an earlier event at Tafawa Balewa House, the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In her remarks, the French minister conveyed the goodwill of President Emmanuel Macron and expressed France’s readiness to expand mutually beneficial collaboration with Nigeria across multiple sectors.

She proceeded to extend a formal invitation to President Bola Tinubu to attend the forthcoming Paris Peace Forum.

Speaking on the Abacha loot, the French Presidential Envoy said the repatriation followed the completion of legal processes.

“It was a long process, but we are glad that it was concluded. Sometimes, justice may be slow, but this is a very good achievement,” she said.

Colonna also lauded President Tinubu’s leadership in handling the affairs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), saying: “We support your efforts at ECOWAS. We are behind you because we believe that constitutional order is a treasure for all countries, and democracy must be a reality.”

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Oshiomhole said this in reaction to the comment of Obasanjo that President Muhammadu Buhari is returning the country to the era of Abacha when state institutions were used to fight perceived enemies of the government.

“Today, another Abacha Era is here. The security institutions are being misused to fight all critics and opponents of Buhari and to derail our fledgling democracy,” Obasanjo had said in reaction to the suspension of Walter Onnoghen, former chief justice of Nigeria.

But when he featured on a Channels Television programme, Oshiomhole disagreed that the country is drifting into a dictatorial state.

“Let’s face it, Obasanjo can’t look me in the eyes and say those things. He is a worse dictator, he was worse than Abacha,” Oshiomhole said.

“How many people disappeared under Abacha’s watch compared to the number of Nigerians that disappeared under Obasanjo’s watch including his own attorney general who didn’t get justice. He is not a fit and proper person.

“Don’t talk about Obasanjo, let’s face it. The problem I have is that in Nigeria, Obasanjo seems to have his cake and have it. He cannot talk about morality. Nigeria’s democracy cannot be stable if the rules are only made for the poor.”

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Oshiomhole said the sincere move by labour leaders to free Abiola from the military confinement did not work out as planned because the late politician declined the offer.

Oshiomhole stated that in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos on Saturday.

He said, “When Abiola was in prison, we made several efforts to see him but the military were blocking it. But finally one day, we went there and (a former NLC President), Paschal (Bafyau) who led us to him, said, ‘sir, we want you to accept the bail with all the conditions attached to it’.

“We told him that these guys are ready to keep him in prison for a long time and ensure that he will not be able to come out alive.

“The late head of State, (Sani) Abacha had asked Abiola to go and make a national broadcast withdraw his earlier statement of pronouncing himself president. But Abiola said, ‘I will remain here in prison; I will not do their bidding’.

“Abacha eventually died and Abiola also died. Today, Abiola’s children can go anywhere and say I am Abiola and they will be respected.”

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Soyinka, speaking on Tuesday during the Special National Honours Investiture at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, urged Buhari to stop confusing Nigerians and take a stand.

He was one of the speakers at the occasion where MKO Abiola, the adjudged winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and others were honoured.

Soyinka said, “As we inaugurate hall of fame, we should inaugurate hall of shame on another hand.

”Hall of Shame should be in line with Hall of Honours. Many unsung heroes and heroines. The torture, dehumanizing of Nigerians were horrendous.

“I will like to appeal to you to stop confusing Nigerians. It is not possible to honor MKO Abiola in one breadth and praise his tormentor in another breadth.”

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