South Africa Ready To Return Nigeria’s Seized Money

South Africa will soon return to Nigeria the seized $15million, this is according to the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Myakayaka Manzini.
Manzini made this disclosure while speaking during an interview on African International Television, AIT, “Matters Arising” on Tuesday, 14 October, 2014.
The commissioner stated that the process of refunding the money is already on.
“Both countries have decided on a political solution to the issue. Nigeria is a big ally and a brother,” Manzini said.
According to Manzini, South Africa will do everything to maintain cordial relations with Nigeria and would not do anything to hurt her national interests.

President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan (L) listens to South African President Jacob Zuma during a recorded session about Africa at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 23, 2013. 

The meeting gathers some of the world’s leading politicians and economists and is viewed as a global think tank. AFP PHOTO ERIC PIERMONT

It would be recalled that South African authorities had first frozen US$5.7 million belonging to Nigeria, in what was believed to be a suspicious banking transaction for arms purchase.
The seizure came out weeks after another $9.3 million cash reportedly smuggled by two Nigerians and an Israeli for arms purchase from the country was confiscated at the Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg.
It was reported that the money was brought into South Africa in a private jet belonging to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the Christians Association of Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan (r) and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor at the presidential villa in Abuja in 2013.

Responding to reports that the private jet belonged to him, Oritsejafor, who is a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan, said the plane had been leased to a third party and he could not be blamed for its schedules.
According to the South African government, the money was seized on 5 September  by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)because it was not declared despite bearing the imprimatur of senior security officials from Nigeria.
It was gathered that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, a colonel, personally issued the end-user certificate for the arms the money was meant for.
Sources close to the investigation also informed that the transaction was between Cerberus Risk Solutions, an arms broker in Cape Town, and Societe D’Equipments Internationaux, a Nigerian company in Abuja.
The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit subsequently obtained a court order in the South Gauteng High Court to seize the money.
However, the Nigerian government has since claimed ownership of the seized funds, denying the deal was unlawful while also warning South Africa of its investment in Nigeria.
South Africa has insisted that the money was the proceed of illegal transactions and is now being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit of the department probing offences against the state.
Meanwhile, the South African police service on Tuesday debunked reports that two Nigerians and an Israeli involved in smuggling $9.3 million cash into the country are being detained over the matter.
Speaking to Premium Times, the spokesperson of the country’s police service, Paul Ramaloko said no arrest was made after money which was reportedly meant for the purchase of arms for the Nigerian intelligence service was intercepted and confiscated.
According to him, they only seized the money.
Ramaloko, a captain in the South African Police said: “In this matter, no one has been charged. We are only talking about one person who checked in the luggage.
“The other people were allowed to go soon as they were cleared.”
In September, there had been widespread reports that two Nigerians and an Israeli national were arrested and detained in South Africa after they attempted to smuggle $9.3 million into the country.
Though the identities of the Nigerians are still unknown, the Israeli national, Eyal Mesika, was said to have had the combination to open the locks of the suitcases which had the money.
Under South African laws, a person entering or leaving the country is expected to carry cash not exceeding $2,300, or the equivalent in foreign currency notes.
When asked the identities of the people on the plane, the police spokesman refused to disclose their names saying, only people who are criminally charged can be named.
He added that investigation into the matter was ongoing.