Trump Disbands U.S. DOJ Team Tracking Abacha’s Looted Billions

U.S. President Donald Trump has disbanded the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, a specialized Department of Justice (DOJ) team tasked with tracing billions of dollars in assets looted by Nigeria’s late military ruler, Sani Abacha, and other cases of international corruption. The move, first reported by Peoples Gazette, follows authorization from Mr. Trump and was quietly carried out earlier this week by newly appointed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed that the decision is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to wind down certain government programs. The disbanded unit played a key role in investigating and recovering stolen funds, including ongoing litigation involving Abacha-linked assets tied to Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria’s budget minister under President Bola Tinubu.

The shutdown raises concerns about the future of efforts to locate and recover additional undiscovered Abacha funds. Investigators believe significant sums remain hidden, and the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative—established in 2010—was instrumental in tracking down assets linked to international corruption.

Efforts to obtain official reactions from Nigerian authorities have so far been unsuccessful. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson Dele Oyewale did not respond to inquiries, nor did presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

It remains unclear how the DOJ will handle ongoing cases in U.S. courts or whether it will continue cooperating with efforts in the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions to trace and return Abacha’s stolen wealth.