Manny Ita
The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to receive more than $9.5 million (£7 million) in recovered corruption proceeds following a landmark agreement with the Bailiwick of Jersey, a British Crown Dependency. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was formally confirmed in Abuja on Friday, January 9, 2026, was signed by Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, and the Nigerian government. These funds were forfeited after the Royal Court of Jersey determined in January 2024 that the money, held in a local bank account, was “more likely than not” the result of a corrupt scheme where third-party contractors diverted government funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The repatriated assets have been specifically earmarked to fund the final stages of the 375-kilometre Abuja-Kano Road, a critical transport artery linking the nation’s capital to its second-largest commercial hub. This latest recovery builds on a longstanding partnership between Nigeria and Jersey, which has already seen the return of over $300 million. Previous tranches of these “Abacha loot” and related recoveries were utilized for the now-completed Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, lauded the move, stating that the recovery “underscores the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with its international partners in ensuring that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth.”
Transparency International Nigeria and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) have commended the UK and Jersey authorities for the return, describing it as a victory for international anti-corruption efforts. However, the organizations also raised concerns regarding the long-term management of such funds. Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, emphasized that “recovered assets should be lodged in dedicated accounts to enable proper tracking,” warning that without strict oversight, there is a risk of these funds being absorbed into routine government spending rather than the specific projects intended.
Jersey authorities highlighted that the recovery was made possible through the Forfeiture of Assets (Civil Proceedings) Law 2018, which allows for the seizure of “tainted property” even without a criminal conviction. “This successful return demonstrates the strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption,” said Mark Temple KC. As the funds prepare to be funneled into the final stretches of the Abuja-Kano highway, the Nigerian government has assured international partners that the assets will be “judiciously utilized” in accordance with the monitoring frameworks established in the MoU.
