US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2263

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002263 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR JFICKLIN, JFRAZER 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W 
LAGOS FOR MBONNER 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2011 
TAGS: PREL, OPDC, EFIN, KCOR, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT OBASANJO TO 
PRESIDENT BUSH ON ABACHA FUNDS 
 
 
Classified by CDA Andrews; Reasons 1.5 (b). 
 
 
1. (C) On 10 September, Embassy received the following letter 
from President Obasanjo to President Bush (dated 5 
September).  Included with the letter are 26 pages of 
attachments making up the forensic report referred to in the 
letter. 
 
 
Begin text: 
 
 
5 September 2001 
 
 
Dear President, 
 
 
Thank you for the letter in which you gave assurances to 
assist Nigeria in her Abacha loot recovery efforts. 
 
 
A copy of the Forensic Accountant's report from Geneva-based 
lawyer, Hauchman Monfrini & Bottge, on the bank documents 
sent by the US Government, following Nigeria's request for 
mutual assistance of 4 November 1999 is attached herewith as 
requested. 
 
 
From the content of the report, further investigation is 
required in the US, if proceeds of the Abacha loot stashed in 
US banks or moved through US banks to other destinations are 
to be traced and recovered. 
 
 
While I appreciate the US Government efforts at obtaining the 
bank documents under reference, I, in anticipation, also 
thank you for the expected detailed investigation that will 
subsequently follow with a view to tracing, freezing and 
recovering the loot. 
 
 
Your sincerely, 
 
 
/sgd/ 
 
 
Olusegun Obasanjo 
 
 
2. (SBU) The original letter, along with attachments, is 
being sent to the NSC by registered pouch with number 2584626. 
Andrews