South Africa returns seized $15m to Nigeria
South African President Jacob Zuma |
The South African Ambassador to Nigeria,
Lulu Mnguni, said in a news conference on Friday that the $15m earlier
seized from some Nigerians by the South African Government had been
released to Nigeria.
The South
African Government had, on September 5, 2014, seized $9.3m cash
belonging to Nigeria and a month later seized another $5.7m, claiming
that both funds were to be used for illegal purchase of arms, www.thecable.ng reported.
However,
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, said the
transactions were legal, urging the South African Government to stop
actions that could degenerate to a diplomatic showdown.
The South African Government on October 14, 2014 said it would return the money to Nigeria.
Mnguni
also spoke on the collapsed building in the Synagogue church in Lagos
State and its effect on the relationship between the two countries.
He said that the two countries had come a long way and that the development would only make them remain stronger.
“South
Africa’s relations with Nigeria has come a long way, so now this
actually will make us much closer, to
see how we can close some of these
gaps that result in such accidents,” he said.
The South African ambassador added that the seizure of the funds was in no way related to the Synagogue collapse.
“South Africa’s relation with Nigeria is priceless; it cannot be sold for $15m,” he said.
Source: The Punch
Source: The Punch