Authorities in the British Crown Dependency of Jersey have agreed to repatriate over $9.5 million in funds linked to the late Nigerian military ruler Sani Abacha.
The money, recovered under former President Goodluck Jonathan but held up by legal proceedings, was formally ordered for return following a ruling by Jersey’s Royal Court in 2024. The court determined the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption, diverted from public contracts for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates.
Jersey’s Attorney-General, Mark Temple, signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigeria in December to facilitate the transfer. In a statement, Temple highlighted that the repatriation demonstrates the strength of the island's civil forfeiture laws in combating cross-border corruption.
Nigerian Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed that the recovered assets will be used in line with the agreed terms—specifically to fund the final stages of a major highway linking Abuja to Nigeria’s second-largest city. Fagbemi emphasized that the return reflects the success of Nigeria’s international partnerships in denying safe havens for illicitly acquired wealth.
This latest repatriation builds on previous agreements between Jersey and Nigeria, which have already led to the return of more than $300 million in stolen assets.
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