The World Bank will not oversee the use of 290 million dollars just returned to Nigeria after it was looted by late ruler Sani Abacha, a top official said Wednesday. dpa reported Acting representative of the World Bank office in AbujaVictoria Kwakwa said in Abuja that the bank's sole interest was the judicious use of the money by the Nigerian government. The funds were returned from Switzerland following a ruling by the Swiss Supreme Court and the intervention of the Nigerian government. They were part of 458 million dollars stashed away in Swiss banks by the family of the late dictator. Kwakwa described the return of the money as "a watershed," saying it was the first time stolen funds were being repatriated to Africa. She said that all the bank was interested in was to ensure that the Nigerian government used the money for the provision of amenities like social infrastructure, the fight against HIV/AIDS and other things benefiting ordinary Nigerians. --More 2305 Local Time 2005 GMT
