Authorities in the UK Crown Dependency of Jersey will return over $9.5 million (£7 million) in corruption-linked funds to the Nigerian government.
The money, described as proceeds of “tainted property,” is believed to have been stolen by the late former military ruler, Sani Abacha, who led Nigeria from 1993 to 1998.
The funds had been held in a bank account on the island of Jersey and were subject to lengthy legal proceedings. Although recovered during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, legal delays had stalled their return to Nigeria.
In December, Mark Temple, Jersey’s attorney-general, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria to facilitate the repatriation of the funds.
According to the BBC, this agreement builds on two previous arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria, which led to the return of over $300 million (£230 million) in recovered assets.
In a ruling in January 2024, the Royal Court of Jersey found that the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption, noting that third-party contractors had diverted public money “for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates.”
Nigeria’s attorney-general and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the repatriated assets would be used strictly in line with the MoU.
“The successful recovery and repatriation of the forfeited assets underscores the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with international partners, ensuring that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth,” Fagbemi said. He added that the funds would support the final stages of a major highway project linking Abuja to Nigeria’s second-largest city.
Temple highlighted that the repatriation reflects the strength of Jersey’s legal framework in tackling corruption. “The return demonstrates the strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption,” he said.
