22 years after the death of his father, son of former military dictator, Sadiq Abacha, has alleged that members of the late General Sani Abacha family still face undue harassment whenever they travel in and out of Nigeria.
“We went to the security agency, they even gave us a clearance paper. But even before this lockdown that I travelled to Dubai, I was still interrogated at the Airport,’” he said.
While featuring in an interview on BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, Sadiq spoke on the family’s reaction to reports of billions of dollars stolen and stashed in foreign bank accounts by their late father.
He said, “We hear the report just as others used to hear. But there are reasons why the money was kept …there are some politicians. Definitely, I’m not happy.”
On their relationship with the families of other surviving Nigerian leaders, he said, “Our present relationship with some of our late father’s friends is surprising. We exchange pleasantries with the family of General Babangida. We are in good terms. It is only with members of the Babangida family that whenever we meet, we associate and share stories.
“We also relate well with family members of President Muhammadu Buhari, but it is only with the Babangida’s that we recall the past.
“When Yayale Ahmed was Secretary to the Government of the Federation, he helped us and the travel ban on our family was lifted. But up till date, I’m always interrogated at the airports anytime I’m travelling. They always say our names are still in the black book.
“We have ve been to the security agency and they have issued us with a clearance paper that our names have been removed from the black book but nothing has changed
“I am always harassed whenever I’m going out or coming into the country. I don’t know where to go and be listened to. It should’ve been a security agency, but I was there. Nothing has changed. Even recently, before this lockdown, I was interrogated when I returned from Dubai,” he said.
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