DIPLOMATIC SPAT AVERTED - Nigeria’s US$15m Returned, Says South Africa

Lulu Louis Mnguni, the South African ambassador to Nigeria

Lulu Louis Mnguni, the South African ambassador to Nigeria, confirmed to the press on Friday that Nigeria has received the US$15m seized by South African authorities in connection with two arms deals.

Mnguni also reacted to the Synagogue collapse and its effect on the relationship between the two countries, saying they had come a long way and the collapse could only make them closer and stronger, TheCable reports.

“South Africa’s relations with Nigeria comes a long way, so now this actually will make us much more closer, to see how we can close some of these gaps that result in such accidents,” Mnguni said.

The South African ambassador added that the seizure of the funds by South African government was in no way related to the Synagogue collapse.

“South Africa’s relations with Nigeria is priceless, it cannot be sold for US$15m,”

“These are two separate incidents, and of course, the issue of the money, have already been sorted out. Nigeria has been given the money.”

On September 5, South African authorities seized US$9.3m cash belonging to the Nigerian government before seizing another US$5.7m three weeks later, claiming both funds were to be used for illegal purchase of arms.

However, Sambo Dasuki, Nigeria’s national security adviser, maintained that the transactions were legal, urging to abstain from actions that could degenerate to a diplomatic showdown.

On October 14, the SouthAfrican government said that it would return the money, which the ambassador now says has been returned.