Jersey To Repatriate $9.5m Abacha Loot To Nigeria For Infrastructure Project

St Helier, Jersey– Authorities in Jersey have concluded plans to return more than $9.5 million (£7 million) traced to “tainted property” to the Nigerian government, marking another recovery of funds linked to corruption during the era of late military ruler, General Sani Abacha.

It was gathered that the funds, which were held in a Jersey bank account, will be repatriated following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in December by Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, and the Government of Nigeria.

The latest agreement builds on two previous arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria that led to the return of over $300 million (£230 million) in stolen public funds.

According to a BBC report, the Royal Court in January 2024 ruled that the money was “more likely than not” the proceeds of a corrupt scheme in which third-party contractors diverted Nigerian government funds “for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates.”

Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), confirmed that the recovered assets would be utilised strictly in accordance with the terms of 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,” Fagbemi said.

He added that the funds would be deployed to support the final stages of an infrastructure project, specifically a major highway described as a “vital link” between Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, and the country’s second-largest city.

On his part, Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, said the repatriation highlighted the effectiveness of the island’s legal framework in tackling corruption.

“The strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption,” Temple said.