Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Thursday, 1 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 9 March 2001. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Friday, 9 March 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how he has responded to the formal request from the Nigerian authorities in relation to General Abacha and his associates; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he has responded to the formal request from the Nigerian authorities in relation to General Abacha and his associates; and if he will make a statement. [152496] Mr. Straw: A request has been received from the authorities in Nigeria with regard to the affairs of the late General Abacha and his family and associates. We are of course very keen to assist the Nigerians in this case, but we have to work within the framework of our own legislation. The request raised a number of issues which required clarification and amplification, and accordingly we wrote to those acting for the Nigerian Government in September last year asking for some additional information. Despite a number of reminders and follow up requests, we have not yet received a reply which is sufficient to enable us to proceed.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 152496; 364 c390W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Criminal investigation Assets International cooperation Proceeds of crime Nigeria Abacha, Sani
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk