Abacha Loot: World Bank seeks more time to provide response

Following the request by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a civil society organisation, for information on the spending of recovered assets stolen by the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, the World Bank has said it will need additional time to provide a more comprehensive response.
In a letter dated October 15 and signed by Ann May of the Access to Information Team to SERAP, the bank said: “In response to your request under AI3982, 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.”
SERAP had on September 21 sent an access to information request to the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, urging him to exercise the bank’s prerogative to release documents relating to spending of recovered assets stolen by Abacha.
But the bank in its response, said: “In most cases, we will be able to respond within 20 working days from receipt of a request for information. However, we may need additional time in special circumstances, for example, if the request is complex or voluminous or if it requires further review by or consultation with internal World Bank units, external parties, the Access to Information Committee, or the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors.
“We regret any inconvenience that a delay may cause you and, if one does occur, will aim to minimise it as much as possible. We will notify you promptly of any updates to the status of your request. Thank you for your interest in the World Bank.”
SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni 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 the Abacha loot.”
SERAP had equally requested Kim to disclose information about the bank’s role in the implementation of any projects funded by the recovered assets and any other ongoing repatriation initiatives on Nigeria with which the bank is engaged.
The request was “pursuant to the World Bank’s Access to Information Policy (The Policy),” approved by the board on June 30 2015.
It noted that one of the policy’s guiding principles is to maximise access to information. “There is also clear for public interest in Nigerians knowing about the bank’s supervisory role and specifically its involvement in the implementation of projects on which repatriated funds were spent,” the CSO said.
According to the request, “The World Bank has been involved in overseeing the transfer, disbursement, spending of recovered funds from Abacha, and other similar initiatives to repatriate stolen funds to Nigeria. As such, the World Bank is not a neutral party in this matter.”
In the request, SERAP stated that it believed that releasing the documents would enable the civil society to meaningfully engage in the management and supervision of repatriated funds, contribute to the greater public good, and enhance transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s resources.
According to the organisation, the release of the requested documents was of paramount importance to the public interest in preserving the legitimacy, credibility and relevance of the World Bank as a leading international development institution.
It tasked the bank to lead by example on issues such as transparency and public disclosure raised in this request.
The organisation said: “The information is also being sought to improve the ongoing fight against corruption in the country and the provision of essential public services.”