South Africa returns seized $15m to Nigeria – S.A Ambassador to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni

The South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, said in a news conference on Friday that the $15m earlier seized from some Nigerians by the South African Government have been released to Nigeria.

The South African Government had, on September 5, 2014, seized $9.3m cash owned by Nigeria and monthly later seized another $5.7m, claiming that both funds were to be useful for illegal purchase of arms, www.thecable.ng reported.  However, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, said the transactions were legal, urging the South African Government to prevent actions that might degenerate to a diplomatic showdown.  The South African Government on October 14, 2014 said it’d return the amount of money to Nigeria.

Mnguni also spoke on the collapsed building in the Synagogue church in Lagos State and its influence on the connection between both countries.  He explained that both countries had come quite a distance and that the development would only cause them to remain stronger.

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

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

“South Africa’s relation with Nigeria is priceless; it cannot be sold for $15m,” he said.