Justice minister demands Abacha's assets

Justice Minister Mohammed Adoke has demanded that the $458 million worth of assets that former dictator Sani Abacha stole should be returned to Nigeria.

The assets were recently frozen by the United States.

Capital FM reports that the Nigerian government had been silent about the freezing of the asses until now.

According to the report, Adoke said he was impressed by "the efforts of the United States to recover the (funds) for the benefit of the people of Nigeria".

Sahara Reporters reports that funds from the forfeited assets are to be used to fund development projects.