Authorities in Jersey, a British Crown Dependency in the Channel Islands, are set to return more than $9.5 million (£7 million) to the Nigerian government following an agreement between both parties.
The funds, which are proceeds of forfeited assets, will be channelled into infrastructure development projects in Nigeria. The repatriation follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December between the Attorney General for Jersey, Mark Temple KC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The agreement builds on two previous asset recovery arrangements between Nigeria and Jersey, which led to the return of more than $300 million previously held in bank accounts on the island.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the funds would be utilised strictly in line with the terms of the agreement. He noted that the recovery and return of the assets demonstrated the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaboration with international partners in tackling corruption and preventing the use of foreign jurisdictions as safe havens for illicit wealth.
Fagbemi disclosed that the money would be used to support the construction of the final stages of the Abuja–Lagos highway.
On his part, Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple, said the development reflected the strength of the island’s civil forfeiture legislation as a key instrument in the global fight against corruption.
In 2024, Jersey’s Royal Court ruled that the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption, arising from a scheme in which third-party contractors diverted government funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates.
The assets were recovered during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, although their return to Nigeria was delayed due to prolonged legal proceedings.
