The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed on Monday a suit filed by the family of the late Head of State, Sani Abacha, challenging the Nigerian government’s revocation of the deceased military ruler’s property in the Maitama District of Abuja.

The suit was brought by the widow of the late Mr Abacha, Maryam Abacha, and her eldest surviving son, Mohammed Abacha.

Those they sued as defendants in the suit were the FCT minister, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), the Nigerian president, and Salamed Ventures Limited, who later acquired the property.

The late Mr Abacha, who ruled Nigeria with an iron fist from 1993 until he died in 1998, was a military dictator often remembered for the feverish kleptocracy and brutal human rights violations of his regime.

His family has instituted a series of legal battles to recover various assets, including the Maitama property, seized from them at home and abroad after his death.

Ruling

Delivering judgement on their suit filed for the recovery of the Abuja property, the judge, Peter Lifu, held that the case filed nine years ago was statute-barred.