Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Authorities in the Bailiwick of Jersey, a British Crown Dependency in the English Channel, have agreed to return more than $9.5 million (approximately £7 million) to the Government of Nigeria after the funds were adjudged to be proceeds of corruption linked to assets held abroad. The repatriation follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2025 between Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, and Nigerian government representatives, paving the way for the transfer of the funds under agreed terms.
The funds were previously held in a bank account in Jersey and were subject to civil forfeiture proceedings initiated under the Forfeiture of Assets (Civil Proceedings) (Jersey) Law 2018. In January 2024, the Royal Court of Jersey granted a forfeiture order after finding that the assets were “more likely than not” derived from a corrupt scheme involving the diversion of public resources by third‑party contractors for the benefit of senior officials and associates, notably tied to Nigeria’s past political leadership.
The British High Commission in Nigeria confirmed that under the terms of the MoU, the returned funds will be applied to critical national infrastructure projects, building on a long‑running partnership between Nigeria and Jersey in asset recovery. Previous repatriations under similar agreements have enabled the completion of major works such as the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge, both key components of Nigeria’s transport network. Officials said the new tranche of funds is expected to support the final stages of the Abuja‑Kano Road project, a 375‑kilometre highway that will improve connectivity between the Federal Capital Territory and Nigeria’s second‑largest city.
Nigeria’s Attorney‑General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, welcomed the development, describing the repatriation as evidence of effective collaboration with international partners to ensure that there is “no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth” and that such assets can be lawfully returned and utilised for the public good. He stressed that the funds would be deployed in strict accordance with the terms of the agreement, underscoring transparency and legal compliance in their application.
For its part, Jersey’s attorney general highlighted the strength of the jurisdiction’s civil forfeiture regime as a robust tool in combating corruption and recovering assets moved to offshore accounts. The return of these funds adds to a broader pattern of asset repatriation involving multiple jurisdictions and decades‑long legal cooperation with Nigeria to reclaim funds lost to corruption.
The repatriation marks another milestone in Nigeria’s international asset recovery efforts, reflecting sustained engagement with partner countries and legal frameworks to recover and redeploy funds for national development.
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