Authorities in Jersey, a British Crown Dependency located in the Channel Islands between the United Kingdom and France, are set to return more than $9.5 million (£7 million) in recovered corruption proceeds to the Nigerian government.
The repatriated funds are to be deployed in support of critical infrastructure projects across Nigeria, according to officials involved in the process.
The return of the assets follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in December between the Government of Jersey, represented by its Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria. The latest agreement builds on two previous asset-recovery arrangements between both jurisdictions that led to the repatriation of over $300 million previously held in a Jersey bank account.
Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed that the funds would be utilised strictly in accordance with the terms of the MoU.
“The successful recovery and repatriation of these forfeited assets underscores the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with international partners in ensuring that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth moved to foreign jurisdictions,” Fagbemi said, as quoted by the BBC.
He added that the recovered funds would be channelled into the construction of the final phases of the Abuja–Lagos highway, a major infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity and economic activity.
On his part, Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, described the repatriation as a testament to the strength of the island’s civil forfeiture laws, noting that they remain a powerful tool in the global fight against corruption.
In 2024, Jersey’s Royal Court ruled that the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption, arising from a scheme in which third-party contractors diverted government funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates.
Although the assets were recovered during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, their return to Nigeria was delayed for several years due to prolonged legal proceedings.
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