CSOs Express Concern Over Unutilized Recovered Assets from Diezani and Alamieyeseigha
A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) monitoring recovered assets has voiced significant concern regarding the non-utilization of funds recovered from high-profile corruption cases. Specifically, the groups highlight the $50 million recovered from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke and the $954,000 recovered from former Governor of Bayelsa State Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, both of which have not been deployed for their intended purposes.
Delays in Project Implementation and Fund Location
According to the CSOs, one year after the Galactica restitution agreement was signed for the repatriation of $52.88 million linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke, assigned to the Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project, the initiative has yet to commence. Moreover, the organizations have been unable to ascertain the exact location of these repatriated funds, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the asset recovery process.
Similarly, three years after the $954,000 recovered from Alamieyeseigha was repatriated to fund the development of Primary Health Care centers in Bayelsa State, the state government remains in the procurement phase for selecting NGOs to monitor the project's implementation. This delay has stalled progress on critical healthcare infrastructure intended to benefit local communities.
Findings from CSO Monitoring and Town Hall Meetings
During a two-day town hall meeting focused on the utilization of recovered assets and the presentation of accountability reports, David Ugolor, Executive Director of the African Network for Economic and Environmental Justice (ANEEJ), confirmed that none of the projects associated with these funds have started. With support from the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), ANEEJ collaborated with CSOs in Bayelsa State to inspect the designated health centers meant to receive the Alamieyeseigha funds, only to find that no development had occurred.
Ugolor stated, "Our findings have shown that for the Galactica asset, no money has been used. Even though this agreement was signed more than a year ago, it clearly indicates that the Nigerian government has not utilized anything, while the $2.88 million allocated for rule of law initiatives at the Institute’s International Center for Justice in Mota has been used for training." He also noted that the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency has not been forthcoming in providing information on the whereabouts of the $50 million earmarked for renewable energy expansion.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
While applauding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its efforts in recovering proceeds of crime, Ugolor emphasized that recovery alone is insufficient. He stressed that citizens are demanding answers to critical questions: How are these funds being used? Who benefits from their utilization? Do they genuinely improve community lives? What safeguards exist to prevent re-looting?
Revd Ugolor highlighted that ensuring transparent use of recovered assets is a collective responsibility, as proper utilization can restore confidence in governance, demonstrate that corruption has consequences, deliver visible benefits to vulnerable communities, and strengthen Nigeria's anti-corruption framework. Conversely, he warned that mismanagement could undermine both national and international confidence in asset restitution processes.
