Authorities in the British Crown Dependency of Jersey have signed an agreement to repatriate over $9.5 million in stolen funds linked to the late Nigerian military ruler, General Sani Abacha. The money, recovered from a bank account on the island and described as “tainted property,” is believed to have been diverted from public contracts for the benefit of senior officials.
A memorandum of understanding was signed in December to facilitate the return, building on two earlier arrangements that have already seen over $300 million in recovered assets sent back to Nigeria. The Royal Court in Jersey ruled in January 2024 that the funds were “more likely than not” the proceeds of corruption.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi, stated that the returned assets would be strictly used according to the terms of the agreement. He confirmed the funds are earmarked for the final stages of a major highway project linking Abuja, the capital, to Nigeria’s second-largest city.
Mark Temple, Jersey’s Attorney-General, said the successful repatriation demonstrates the effectiveness of the island’s civil forfeiture laws as a powerful tool in the fight against international corruption. The case underscores ongoing international efforts to ensure there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth.
