Oshiomhole Tells FG To Seize Profits Of South African Companies For Attacked Nigerians

Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on the federal government of Nigeria to seize the profits of South African companies operating in Nigeria.

According to him, the seized profits should be used to compensate Nigerians attacked in South Africa as a result of the xenophobic uprisings.

Naijaonpoint reports that the former Edo State Governor, who made the submission while speaking on Tuesday on the floor of the Senate, said the action should be taken in response to the South African minister’s refusal to grant compensation to Nigerians.

He said: “Following comments by the South African minister to the effect that compensation will not be paid to those Nigerians whose properties were looted, shops burned and even lives taken, the government of Nigeria should reciprocate by appropriating the profits from South Africa shares in all South Africa shares, including their banks IBTC, that money be seized and used to pay Nigerians.”

Recall that South Africa had earlier rejected Nigeria’s call for compensation for Nigerians whose properties were left behind following their evacuation from the country.

The evacuations followed renewed xenophobic violence against African migrants in South Africa.

Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, had earlier said the Nigerian government had begun compiling records of businesses and properties left behind by returnees.

He said the records would form the basis of discussions with South African authorities on possible compensation.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, dismissed the possibility of government compensation.

Ntshavheni said legitimate properties were formally registered with authorities, while informal settlements were illegal and unrecognised.