Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has dismissed widespread allegations that the former military ruler looted Nigeria’s wealth and stashed funds in foreign accounts.
In an interview with the BBC, Al-Mustapha argued that the narrative of stolen funds was politically motivated and misleading. According to him, the monies in question were part of an economic survival strategy during a time when the Nigerian government faced severe financial constraints.
He revealed that during Abacha’s regime, a delegation—including himself—visited Libya to study how the country managed under prolonged international sanctions. Drawing from Libya’s model, Al-Mustapha said the Nigerian government implemented a system where local companies received state backing to import essential goods and distribute them at subsidised prices for Nigerians.
“That initiative helped shield Nigerians from economic collapse,” he said. “But after Abacha’s death, some individuals who were entrusted with the funds failed to return them, choosing instead to distort the narrative.”
He claimed the funds were kept in national accounts and used strategically, not personally hoarded by Abacha. “I do not believe any of the so-called recovered funds were directly tied to Abacha,” he said. “Was he ever found transferring funds abroad? Did anyone find his signature on offshore transactions?”
When asked about the state of Nigerian democracy, Al-Mustapha admitted there has been some political advancement but noted that every day, citizens have yet to benefit significantly from democratic governance.
“Democracy in principle is good,” he said, “but when it is manipulated to hurt the people, then it becomes part of the problem.”
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