In a significant boost to Nigeria's infrastructure drive and anti-corruption campaign, the Federal Government has secured the return of over $9.5 million in looted funds from the Bailiwick of Jersey.
Details of the Agreement and Court Forfeiture
The repatriation is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2025 by His Majesty’s Attorney General for Jersey, Mark Temple KC. This agreement authorizes the transfer of the funds back to Nigeria, where they are earmarked for critical national infrastructure projects.
The journey to recovery began when the Jersey Attorney General applied to the Royal Court of Jersey on November 29, 2023, under the island's civil forfeiture laws. The court subsequently ordered the forfeiture on January 12, 2024, after concluding the money was "more likely than not the proceeds of a corrupt scheme."
Investigations revealed that the funds originated from Nigerian government contracts, where contractors diverted money for the benefit of senior public officials and their associates.
Building on Past Success for Nigeria's Infrastructure
This latest MoU strengthens an existing partnership between Nigeria and Jersey that has already yielded substantial results. Previous agreements facilitated the return of over $300 million, which was deployed to finance major projects including the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge, both now completed.
The newly repatriated $9.5 million will be channeled to the final stages of the 375-kilometre Abuja–Kano Road. This vital transport corridor links the federal capital territory to northern Nigeria and is crucial for economic integration and development.
Leadership Hails International Cooperation
Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, praised the outcome, stating: "This successful return demonstrates the strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption." He extended gratitude to Nigerian authorities and his department's Economic Crime and Confiscation Unit for their relentless efforts.
On the Nigerian side, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, emphasized the importance of global collaboration. "The successful recovery and repatriation of the forfeited assets ensures that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth," he stated.
Fagbemi thanked the Government of Jersey for its cooperation and gave assurances: "The repatriated assets will be judiciously utilised in line with the terms of the executed Memorandum of Understanding."
