Africa's longest-serving leaders

Paris (AFP) - Congo votes to amend the constitution Sunday in a referendum allowing President Denis Sassou Nguesso to extend a grip on power that began three decades ago.

 

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea

Photo: (c) Reuters

Sassou Nguesso took power in 1979 and has been in office ever since, except for a five-year period.

Here is a list of Africa's longest-serving leaders:

- 36 years: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea. Came to power in a coup on August 3, 1979. He was officially named president on October 12, 1982.
- 36 years: Jose Eduardo dos Santos, Angola. Leader of the party which won independence from Portugal in 1975, Dos Santos has been in power since September 20, 1979.
- 35 years: Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe. The only living African leader to have been continuously in power since his country's independence, Mugabe became prime minister in April 1980 and president in 1987.
- 32 years: Paul Biya, Cameroon. Came to power on November 6, 1982.
- 29 years: Yoweri Museveni, Uganda. Took office in January 1986 after winning the war which ousted the brutal regime of Idi Amin Dada, with help from neighbouring Tanzania.
- 29 years: King Mswati III, Swaziland. Acceded to the throne of the tiny southern African kingdom in April 1986, four years after the death of his father.
- 26 years: Omar al-Bashir, Sudan. Has ruled since he seized power in a coup in June 1989.

- 25 years: Idriss Deby, Chad. Emerged as the leader of the arid north-central African state in December 1990, after the war which ousted the regime of Hissein Habre.

- All-time record holders -

The longest-serving leaders of post-colonial African countries have been:

- Emperor King Haile Selassie, who was ousted from power in Ethiopia in 1974 after 44 years.

- Moamer Kadhafi of Libya, who ruled his north-African state for almost 42 years after a coup in 1969. Kadhafi was ousted and then killed in 2011 by a rebel movement backed by western warplanes.

- Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled the west African state of Gabon for more than 41 years until his death in October 2011. He was then succeeded by his son.

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Credit Union Day Celebration: Achaba Union Nkambe Wins Butchers Union in a Tug of War (PhotoNews)

Jubilations

 

Supporters of Achaba Union

Achaba Union

Butchers Union

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Credit Union Day Celebration in the Nkambe Chapter: CamCCUL Network Growing from Strength to Strength (PhotoNews)

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Spanish Business Magnet Overthrows Bill Gates As the Richest Man, See Who

A Spanish businessman has taken the title of the richest man in the world from the CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates with what has been described as a quiet rise to wealth.

Amancio Ortega

 

Spanish clothing magnate, Amancio Ortega, 79, over took Microsoft founder Bill Gates for the first time ever in the Forbes rich list.

According to Forbes's real-time tracker, the elusive multibillionaire founder of European clothing retailer Zara smashed past Bill Gates to become the wealthiest person on the planet, with a fortune of $79.8 billion (€71.83 billion or £51.84 billion).

Bill Gates' estimated net worth is $79.5bn as of this afternoon. He's expected to take back his top position from Ortega.

The elusive Ortega isn't as much of a household name as Gates, but he's quietly ascended the wealth rankings in recent years, as his company continues to perform well and expand.

Unlike many of the richest people in the world, Ortega has a fascinating rags-to-riches story. Born in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, Ortega's father earned 300 pesetas a month, a meager salary. 

Ortega's biographer described his memories of a childhood during which his family could not always afford enough food. He left school in his early teens, working his way up from the absolute bottom rung as a messenger boy in a shop.

It wasn't until he was 40 years old that Ortega got around to setting up Zara, the fast-fashion retailer that has gone from strength to strength first growing in Spain, then neighbouring Portugal and France, then London. Now it's all over the globe. 

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Reorganization of the Basic Organs of the CPDM in USA: Patience Tamfu for Section President

 By F C Ndi

Yaah Patience Tamfu

Prof Ngole Ngole Elvis is head of the CPDM Central Committee delegation to the United States of America. With elections in the offing in the Diasporas, expectations are high at that a more efficient leadership is put in place reasons why savory reports on public opinion polls is gaining ground.  Ahead of this reorganization process, popular opinion in the United States of America puts Yaah Patience Tamfu ahead of the three other contenders. She is the lone female candidate for the post of Section President. This is so because she fulfills all the conditions prescribed by President Biya, President of the party. Above all, she masters the party text very well, majority say.  

Popular opinion at home and the Diasporas holds that CPDM militants in the USA must choose a candidate with character and conscience. Commentators have opined that Yaah Patience Tamfu is sure bet for the position of Section given that she is a political heavyweight. However, looking at her political career in such a twofold approach is certain that she is the best when weighed up the evidences of her commitment to the CPDM party. With this in mind, and with the results of the last Presidential election that she worked relentlessly for the CPDM, prospects are high at that she would surely work for the growth of the party, a school of thought holds.

Yaah Patience Tamfu

Considering that Yaah Patience Tamfu was elected as pioneer  WCPDM Section President in the USA IN 2007, she is therefore an asset given that one of the prerequisites requires candidates for the position of Section President to have ample knowledge about the basic texts of the party and must have served the party in any specialized organ.  One major question lingering on all the lips is whether the other contenders have had such experience or just-having a jump-start in politics.

Who is Patience Tamfu?

If there is any area in Cameroon where the Beijing platform can be assessed, it is in the domain of politics and economic sphere which was formerly a no go zone for the woman. Yaah Patience Tamfu is one of the few female politicians who has shown that women in leadership could mean a lot to Cameroon. Ever since this daughter of the great statesman, late Hon. SN Tamfu became the sparkling flicker, the ever first woman to strengthen the CPDM party in the United State of America, she has become a symbol that women in leadership position is worth celebrating. Hitherto considered a no go zone for women, Yaah Patience Tamfu has not only dismantled the male barriers constructed around politics but has more importantly serve as a woman emancipator. And that she is candidate for the position of Section President in the USA is a fact.  And that she campaigned tirelessly for President Biya to win in Diasporas during the last Presidential elections is an undeniable fact. It is thanks to her that the CPDM is striving in the United States of America.

Since her election into the national Bureau of the WCPDM, (Central Committee), Patience Tamfu helped a great deal in transmitting President Biya’s policy in the Diasporas. Even though she lives in the USA, she remains approachable. She talks and acts with dogged friendliness reasons why she is loved and appreciated by all.

Yet, it is these qualities which incalculably complement her multifarious roles in Uncle Sam’s America, Donga Mantung Division, North West and Cameroon as a whole. Her savoir-faire in politics and the way she interacts with others has earned several recognitions. It was not by error that she was voted as "Woman of Year" in 2012 by readers of The Eye newspaper and few months ago she was honoured with The Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership role in fostering development amongst Wimbum community (at home and abroad) and Cameroonians in the USA. Besides, she was honoured with the most prestigious traditional title of Mbum land, Yaah. In the US where she lives, she was also recognized by her employer as well as the various communities due to her leadership skills. 

This is so because she is a bulk of talent, intelligent and a woman who lives in every other person’s problem. Hard work and efficiency have continued to be the qualities that define her. Whenever you meet her for the first time, you are taken by her mastery of issues.  Take it as arrogance and you are right for this is positive arrogance that enables that job for which she does is done correctly. It is this positive arrogance she reads widely and interacts with all the set of people in society.

Notwithstanding, she has the drive and dedication that defies any facile explanations. Born into the family of late Hon. SN Tamfu, she was brought up in close knit family in the fear of the God. In later life she could not escape to be a workaholic or become a politician par excellence reasons why her position in society as a role model continue to inspire many young girls and build society. Team Patience Tamfu for Section President.

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Why USAFRICOM Commander was Recieved at Unity Palace

An audience to advance the partnership between Cameroon and the United States of America in the fight against Boko Haram has been granted by the President of the Republic His Excellency Paul BIYA to General David RODRIGUEZ, Commander of the US Africa Command. The audience at Unity Palace this Friday 16 October 2015, was also attended by the US Ambassador to Cameroon, Michael HOZA.

Speaking to the press shortly after the audience, General RODRIGUEZ reaffirmed the partnership of the United States of America with Cameroon in the fight against Boko Haram. He expressed his sincere condolences to the families of soldiers and civilians who have been killed as a result of the activities of the terrorists.

The General talked about the importance of intelligence in the face of the present tactics used by Boko Haram which has resorted to suicide bombings to instil fear into the population. The partnership with Cameroon, he went on, will be enhanced to include training of soldiers to handle explosives and to detect the enemy.

At the end of the audience, General RODRIGUEZ exchanged gifts with the President of the Republic, as a sign of the profound friendship between Cameroon and the United States of America.

source: PRC

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Woman Stabs Pastor to Death For Attempted Rape During Deliverance

 A pastor from Cross River State, identified as Pastor Oliver Akpan has been stabbed to death by a woman who claims he tried to rape her during a deliverance session.  

According to reports, Pastor Akpan, married with six children, had long been suspected to sleep with some of his church members, both the married ones and the single ladies but unfortunately for him he met his match in the woman identified as Mrs. Ekamma, who is also married with two children.

Mrs Ekamma had gone to the Pastor to seek help over some spiritual attack she was facing and Pastor Akpan had recommended a three day dry fasting for the woman to be carried out in the church and on the final day, have a spiritual bath to ward off the evil spirit.
After going through the fast, the pastor led the woman to a stream to have the spiritual bath but he had other ideas in mind as he was said to have told the woman that part of the bath included having sex with her but when she refused, he attempted to forcefully have his way with another man’s wife.
As the woman tried to free herself, she allegedly picked up a sharp stick and stabbed him in the stomach, before running to the village to alert other members of the community.
By the time they got to the spot, the wounded pastor had lost consciousness as he bled profusely. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors confirmed that he died before he was brought in.
The woman was initially arrested by police but was released on bail while investigation is still on going.

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Nigerian Pastor Causes Stampede in Douala,1 Dead, over 20 Injured

 By George

Allegedly, the roof of a stadium where a Nigerian man of God organized a crusade recently collapsed causing pandemonium among the crowd which led to serious consequences.

The crusade ground

 As of now, one person has been confirmed dead while others were injured during a stampede that occurred at a crusade by Nigerian pastor, Suleiman Johnson which held at the Reunification Stadium in Bepanda, Douala in Cameroon, yesterday October 20th.
According to reports, the roof of the stadium caved in immediately after the crusade ended which caused panic, as people began rushing and pushing themselves. Those who were injured are receiving medical attention in various hospitals.

 

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Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe Wins Confucius Peace Prize

The president of Zimbabwe has won this year's Confucius Peace Prize amid controversies surrounding the occasion.

Robert Mugabe

 

The founder of the Confucius Peace Prize, a would-be Chinese rival to the Nobel, on Thursday defended the presentation of this year’s award to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who has often been accused of rights abuses.
Qiao Damo, founder of the little-known China International Peace Studies Centre, which runs the accolade, told AFP that Mugabe had been recognised for his “outstanding contributions” to world peace.
The nonagerian African leader beat nine other finalists, including Bill Gates, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, he added.
“If he hadn’t come to power in 1980, if he hadn’t played a role, how much talent would have been wasted!” said Qiao.
The Confucius prize emerged in 2010 as a Chinese response to jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo’s Nobel award, which infuriated Beijing.
Mugabe — who has had a close relationship with Beijing for decades — joins an eclectic roster of past winners, which includes Vladimir Putin and Fidel Castro as well as more mainstream figures such as Kofi Annan.
In a statement announcing the award in September, the committee praised Mugabe for being “committed to building the country’s political and economic order, for the benefit of the Zimbabwean people”, and for his “strong support of Pan-Africanism and African independence”.
It will be recalled that human rights groups and opposition politicians have accused Mugabe of overseeing the crippling of his country’s economy and brutal crackdowns, but the prize organisers have dismissed their concerns.

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Buhari Appoints New INEC Chairman

 Source: tori.ng

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission which is regarded as a response to pressure from the opposition People's Democratic Party

Professor Mahmud Yakubu

President Buhari has appointed Professor Mahmud Yakubu as new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Another report also has it that the Council of State has approved the appointment of Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, as the substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mahmud Yakubu is a professor of political history and international studies. He was Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. He is an expert in guerrilla warfare, terrorism and counter-terrorism. He was part of the team at last year's national conference
President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed Mrs Amina Bala Zakari on July 1, 2015 as the Acting Chairman of INEC following the conclusion of the term of Office of the former chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

It would be recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party had rejected Zakari's appointment on the grounds that she was too close to the presidency for her to be fair in organising a credible election.

Mrs. Amina Zakari is presently now assigned as a National Electoral Commissioner at INEC.

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Fake Pastor Sleeps With Woman, Tells Her His Sperm Will Cleanse Her of Evil

Weird reports from an Ogudu Magistrate Court in Lagos reveal how a woman was disposed of her hard-earned money and repeated slept with by fake man of God.

A trader, Elijah Kingsley, 37, on Wednesday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, charged with hypnotising a woman named Beauty Emmanuel and dispossessing her of N700,000, according to the Leadership.

He also conspired with a friend who presented himself as a pastor, lying to the victim that she was possessed with evil forces and there was a need for him to sleep with her without a condom so as to use his sperm as anointing oil to cleanse her of the spiritual forces.
Kingsley, who lives at No. 4, Fadayomi St. Ojota in Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in November 2014 at Ojota Bus Stop. He said that the complainant, Beauty Emmanuel, a student, had on Oct. 19 come to the Ojota Police Station to report the matter. Ihiehie said the complainant reported that sometime last year along Ogudu Road.

The victim unluckily met two men with one of them presenting himself as a foreigner. They narrated to her their line of business which entails the sale of laptops and phones. According to the prosecutor, they claimed to have some dirty monies which they needed chemicals to wash. The victim fell for the trick and provided them with a sum of N27,000 with the belief of getting returns from the huge sums of money they claimed to have in their possession.
This led to constant demands for money to a point where they demanded for half a million naira from the victim. They lady was asked to keep it secret or else she would die mysteriously.

“The accused also introduced an alleged fake “pastor’’ to the complainant who told her that she was possessed by an evil spirit that would kill her unless she had an amorous relationship with the accused,’’ The prosecutor claimed.

Ihiehie told the court that the complainant said the “pastor’’ insisted that she slept with the accused without protection so that his fluid would cleanse her of the evil.

He said that the accused regularly had carnal knowledge of Emmanuel and further collected N200,000 from her.
The prosecutor said that after several months, the accused called the complainant on Oct. 19, to demand more money again. Ihehie said that Emmanuel reported the matter at the police station and the accused was, thereafter, arrested.

It took the intervention of Emmanuel's friend for her to gain consciousness from the scam which raises the allegations they must have jinxed her with a diabolic material.

TORI.NG

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Southern Cameroons Restoration Rally Sparks Fury in Bamenda, Human Rights Activists Haunted

 By Fung Edmond

Evangelist Ngwa Aaron (PIC courtesy of Hilltop Voices)

On October 15, 2015, a certain Evangelist Ngwa Aaron Ndeh allegedly stormed the Bamenda Grandstand to stage managed what, he later described as the Southern Cameroons restoration rally. Unlike most SCNC meetings which are always held in hiding for fear of police arrests and detentions, this one took place at the Bamenda Grandstand. Tongues are still waging in Bamenda how a handful of people could declare the restoration of the nationhood of Southern Cameroons in a place guarded by soldiers without being chased away with clubs.

However, Evangelist Ngwa who claims the status of Interim President of Southern Cameroons is quoted to have declared that “The spirit of the lord is upon me to bring good tidings to the oppressed, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to proclaim liberty to the chained, to restore sight to the blind and to declare liberation to the deaf and the dump”. In one of his points, he revealed that in April 2013, the UN came out with a definitive document and an ultimatum on the restoration of Southern Cameroons. Going by the document according to Evangelist Ngwa Aaron Ndeh, no union took place between southern Cameroons and la Republique in 1961 reasons why he recently declared himself “Interim President” of Southern Cameroons.

Evangelist Ngwa who was accompanied by the “takumbengs” (old mothers) on that day, it should be recalled staged a similar show on May 20^th, 2015 with a handful of his supporters at Ndamukong Street in Bamenda where he declared nationhood of the Southern Cameroon restored. The said declaration was followed by the formation of an executive government, a fifty man advisory council(with status of parliament),diplomatic missions and some governors to function for two years and organize democratic elections. Many have been questioning whether, Ngwa Aaron is not a provocative agent given that several activists have been arrested and detained for participating in SCNC activities. Yet Evangelist Ngwa Aaron Ndeh claims the government of la Republique du Cameroun and the international community are all aware of his activities reason why his programmes are uninterrupted by the Yaoundé regime. 
Yet classified sources say policemen have launched a man-hunt in search of a leading youth human rights activist who absconded from incarceration.

Agwe Walter, a human rights activist according to the hint has been blacklisted for allegedly involved in sensitizing some SCNC activists on human rights related issues some years ago. A close family member said that ever since Agwe escaped from police custody, security officials have been interrogating his wife on his whereabout. Presently, a good number of young men have been arrested for involving in the Southern Cameroons National Council, SCNC, pressure group fighting for the restoration of the state hood of Southern Cameroons. It was apparently on this note that Agwe Walter thought it wise to go out of the country and take refuge in Europe or America where human rights is respected.

 Agwe Walter it should be noted is a holder of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Animal Biology and Physiology from the University of Yaounde 1 and a certified secondary and High school science/Biology teacher. While working for a Human Rights Organization, he also taught Biology in a public High schools in Cameroon for 6 years before the unfortunate situation with the police forced him to escape.

Being wanted  because of his human rights activities, human rights activists are afraid because of possible persecution, arrest, torture and threats of life because of his membership in a renowned Cameroon based Human Rights Defence Group, HRDG. Human rights crusaders are worried over the constant harrasment of his wife by security elements. It should be noted that since 2009 Agwe Walter has always been in several detention centres for over his Human Rights activities. His family fears that with the recent arrests of SCNC activists and continuous presence of security men in their compound, things could be complicated for him if he comes back home.

Having been a member of HRDG, Agwe Walter was often given the opportunity to present talks on human rights activities in political rallies, youth associations and most especially in schools where he sensitized the youths on their rights among others.

HRDG activities it should be noted are involved in humanitarian services like frequenting prisons and detention centres, giving support to prisoners and detainees, fight against human rights abuses and fight for freedom of the press, associations among others. It was because of all these that the founder of the Cameroon based Human Rights Defence Group (HRDG) Albert Womah Mukong, had always been in detentions in prisons across the country. Reason why he published his book “Prisoner without a crime”.

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Meet Japanese Monk Spent Nine Days Without Food, Water or Sleep (Photo)

A Japanese Buddhist monk on Wednesday finished a gruelling nine-day ritual without eating, drinking, or sleeping as he chanted sutras 100,000 times.

Buddhist monk Kogen Kamahori (center) walks while being assisted at Enryakuji Temple in Otsu

 

According to an AFP report, the 41-year-old Kogen Kamahori’s endurance test made him a living form of the Buddha according to his temple’s beliefs, the Asahi newspaper reported.
Japanese media revealed that he was the first person to complete the test in eight years.
The monk emerged from a training facility at Mount Hieizan, a holy mountain in western Japan dotted with temples, to be greeted by some 600 onlookers and members of the media.
Dressed in a white robe, he appeared shortly before 2:00 am (1700 GMT), assisted by fellow monks.
The programme is considered the toughest part of a seven-year training that includes a total of 1,000 non-consecutive days walking around the mountain in a bid to achieve enlightenment.
He started in 2011 and had completed 700 days of walking before beginning his fast. He is expected to finish the mountain walk in the fall of 2017.

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November Blackout: NASA Confirms Earth Will Experience 15 Days of Darkness...See Details

Astronomers have revealed in a 1000 page document that the earth will experience utter darkness for 15 straight days next month.

 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) which is a United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program, has revealed that for 15 days, starting from November 15 to November 29, 2015, the earth will experience total darkness.

The event, according to NASA, hasn’t occurred in over 1 Million years.

Astronomers from NASA, indicated that the world will remain in complete darkness starting on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 3 a.m. to Monday, November 30, 2015 at 4:15 p.m.

 According to officials, an astronomical event between Venus and Jupiter will be responsible for this "November Blackout". 

The Head of NASA, Charles Bolden who was appointed  by President Obama, issued a 1000 page document explaining the event to the White House.

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South African Pastor Preaches From Inside Coffin

A South African pastor has shocked people with his unconventional mode of spreading the word when he sat down inside a coffin to preach.

According to church member and former drug dealer, 28 year old Aphiwe Nqevu 'brought the coffin to illustrate to people who fail to embrace Jesus as the son of God that they will go to hell and face eternal death.

They said they use coffin to 'urge people to embrace God because once death occurs, it is too late to decide'. People in the area protested, saying it was scaring children and it was also disrespectful.

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Revealed: See the Total Amount Late General Sani Abacha Looted from Nigeria's Treasury

The World Bank has said a lot of time is required to draw a comprehensive report detailing how the massive loot of late Sani Abacha was disbursed.

Following a request by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, the World Bank has said a lot of time is required to give a comprehensive response on how the late Sani Abacha’s loot was disbursed.

The World Bank representative responded that the Bank requires additional time to provide comprehensive information on the spending of recovered funds looted by the late military ruler Sani Abacha during his reign in Nigeria.

“In response to your request we would like to inform you that we are still considering your request and need additional time to provide you with a more comprehensive response,” Ann May of the World Bank’s Access to Information Team said in the letter dated October 15.

She informed SERAP representatives that though in most cases it takes up to twenty working days to respond the request for information, under special circumstances it can take much more time. The special circumstances include the complex and voluminous requests that usually require consultation with the World Bank’s board of executive directors as well as the internal units and external parties.

“We regret any inconvenience that a delay may cause you and, if one does occur, will aim to minimize it as much as possible,” concluded Ann Mayin the letter, adding that the World Bank “will notify you promptly of any updates to the status of your request.”

The estimates of the funds stolen by the late military ruler, Sani Abacha during the period of his reign from 1993 to 1998 vary.

While it is estimated that the stolen funds make up at least $ 4.3 billion, some experts claim that the sum of the stolen assets is much higher and might be as huge as $ 7 billion. 

Adetokunbo Mumuni, the SERAP’s executive director, who spoke on the delays with the initiative to recover Abacha’s loot,said:

“We welcome the Bank’s decision to thoroughly consider the request. This thorough process shows the seriousness the Bank attaches to the request, and will hopefully contribute to a positive outcome that will serve the interest of justice and millions of Nigerians who want to know about disbursement of Abacha loot.”

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