Nigerians ferrying money to Switzerland will now have to
prove that such wealth is acquired legally before they are
allowed to lodge such in the European nation’s banks.
The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Hans Rudolf Hodel, who
disclosed this after a meeting with the President elect, Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari, also disclosed that about $370million
recovered from the late maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha,
has been traced by the Swiss government to a Luxembourg
account.
Hodel said in the past the banks only needed to prove that
the money deposited with them are legal money, adding
that situations Switzerland has changed with depositors
now needing to prove that they acquired the money legally
before they will be allowed to deposit money in any bank in
that country.
He said that collaboration between the Nigeria government
and its Swiss counterpart in fighting corruption is a long
standing issue, adding “our laws are there to help all
countries fighting corruption. We will help this government.
“If you remember, many years ago, we gave back the
Abacha money to Nigeria. The situation in Switzerland has
changed. The policy is no longer the same. In the past,
people come to deposit money in Switzerland without too
much controversy. Now, it is not possible to deposit money
in Switzerland because of legal origin.
“Before now, the bank has to prove that the money is legal.
But now, before you deposit money in any Swiss bank, you
have to prove that you have earned that money legally.
“If you are a wealthy businessman, you have money in
billions legally, but if, for example as a journalist, you come
to Switzerland with two million dollars and say you earned
it because you did a very good job, nobody will believe
you.”
The Ambassador said the Nigerian government and the
Abacha family have sought legal assistance from the Swiss
government to enable them retrieve the money, pointing out
that Swiss government has offered the legal assistance.
He said further that his government is directly involved
since the money is not in a Swiss bank.
On what he discussed with Buhari, he said “Even if the
relation is perfect there is always room for improvement.
Investors are looking towards Nigeria and it is a good
example Nigeria gave to the world by its peaceful election.
“I congratulate the President -elect for this fantastic
election and indeed the whole Nigeria people which has
shown the world what they are capable of doing and with
this election Nigeria has become an example not only to
Africa but to the whole world on how election can be
conducted.” CLICK HERE TO READ FULL AND TOUCHING NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES BIOGRAPHY AND SCANDALS
No comments:
Post a Comment
Select "Anonymous" As Your Profile Or Login To Your "Google Account" Post A Comment!