Authorities in Jersey, a British Crown Dependency located in the Channel Islands between the United Kingdom and France, are preparing to return more than $9.5 million (£7 million) to the Nigerian government.
The recovered funds are expected to be directed toward supporting critical infrastructure development projects across Nigeria.
The repatriation follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in December between Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
This latest agreement builds on two earlier arrangements between Nigeria and Jersey that led to the return of over $300 million previously lodged in a bank account on the island.
Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said the repatriated funds would be applied “in line with the terms” outlined in the MoU.
“The successful recovery and repatriation of the forfeited assets underscores the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with its international partners in ensuring that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth or assets moved to foreign jurisdictions,” the BBC quoted Fagbemi as saying.
According to the minister, the funds will be used to support the completion of the final phases of a major highway connecting Abuja and Lagos.
For Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple, the decision highlights “the strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption”.
In 2024, Jersey’s Royal Court ruled that the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption, linked to a scheme in which third-party contractors diverted government resources “for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates”.
Although the money was recovered during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, its return to Nigeria was delayed for years due to prolonged legal proceedings.
What you should know
Asset recovery has become a key pillar of Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategy, with international cooperation playing a central role in tracing and repatriating funds moved abroad.
Jersey has previously partnered with Nigeria in returning hundreds of millions of dollars tied to corruption cases, reinforcing global efforts to deny corrupt officials safe havens for illicit wealth.
The latest repatriation reflects growing use of civil forfeiture laws and bilateral agreements to ensure recovered assets are transparently returned and applied to public infrastructure projects that directly benefit citizens.
