The Bailiwick of Jersey has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government of Nigeria to return more than $9.5 million traced to proceeds of corruption, with the recovered funds set to support a key national infrastructure project.
The MoU was signed in December 2025 by His Majesty’s Attorney General for Jersey, Mark Temple KC, formally clearing the way for the repatriation of the funds to Nigeria.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the British High Commission, through Stephen Odekunle, which noted that the agreement was officially validated in Abuja on Friday, January 9, 2026.
The funds were forfeited following a ruling by the Royal Court of Jersey on January 12, 2024, which determined that the money held in a Jersey bank account was linked to corruption.
According to the court, the funds were “more likely than not” derived from a corrupt scheme involving third-party contractors who diverted public funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates.
The forfeiture proceedings were initiated under the Forfeiture of Assets (Civil Proceedings) (Jersey) Law 2018.
Commenting on the recovery, Temple said the case highlights the strength of Jersey’s anti-corruption laws and its cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
“This successful return demonstrates the strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption.
“I thank the Nigerian authorities for their cooperation and the Economic Crime and Confiscation Unit in my department for their unwavering commitment to recover the proceeds of crime,” he said.
The latest MoU builds on two earlier agreements between Jersey and Nigeria, under which more than $300 million has already been returned to fund major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, and the Abuja–Kano Road. The first two projects have since been completed.
Under the new agreement, the recovered $9.5 million will be applied to the final stages of the Abuja–Kano Road, a 375-kilometre highway regarded as a critical transport corridor linking Nigeria’s capital with its second-largest city.
Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), welcomed the development, describing it as a strong signal of the country’s resolve to pursue illicit assets abroad.
“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 also expressed gratitude to Jersey authorities.
“On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I thank the Bailiwick of Jersey for the cooperation accorded Nigeria during the recovery exercise.
“I further assure the Bailiwick of Jersey that the repatriated assets will further be judiciously utilised in line with the terms of the executed Memorandum of Understanding.”
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