Abacha's son leaves prison

Abacha's family has been dogged by controversies

The son of Nigeria's former military ruler Sani Abacha was released from prison on Monday after three years in detention on embezzlement charges.

The Nigerian Guardian newspaper said that Mohammed Abacha's release was not unconditional and he will sign an agreement on the refund of $1.5 bn alleged to have been looted from the country by his father, General Sani Abacha.

He is also to remain under "permanent security surveillance and make himself available to security agents whenever he is required", the paper said.

Nigeria's president reached a deal with the Abachas

He had been in prison since 1999 on charges of corruption and money laundering. He was released on 20 September only to be re-arrested within hours.

His father ruled Nigeria from November 1993 to his death in June 1998, during which time he was said to have stashed away billions of dollars in foreign banks.

The Nigerian government has been seeking the return of the money from the Abacha family. In July President Obasanjo announced that a settlement had been reached with the family under which they will keep $100 m if they return over $1 bn.

A statement from the Nigerian President's office, quoted by the French news agency AFP, said that the president had acted in the interests of justice in releasing Mohammed Abacha but that: "No-one should be allowed to get away with the blatant corruption perpetrated by the Abacha family."

Luxury limousine

On his release, Mr Abacha was greeted in his home town of Kano by thousands of cheering supporters and then driven away in a convoy of luxury limousines accompanied by police cars, according to the Associated Press Agency.

His mother was quoted as thanking God that she was still alive to see him released.

"I'm grateful to all the Kano people and all those who stood by us throughout these trying times. We pray we do not go through this again," she said.

The Guardian said that President Obasanjo ordered Mohammed Abacha's release after seeing a delegation from Kano lobbying on his behalf.

The delegation included the governor of the state, Rabia Musa Kwankwaso and a number of traditional rulers.

Among the conditions set for the release are that Mr Abacha sign an agreement for the return to the government of $1.5 bn reportedly stolen by his father, that he remain under surveillance and does not travel out of Kano State without the permission of the head of the Nigerian State Security Service.

For the past four years, the Abacha family has been dogged by controversies - including allegations of murder and of trying to hide the huge sums allegedly hidden in foreign banks by General Abacha.