Accountability in Action: UK Returns $9.5 Million in Forfeited Assets to Nigeria

In a significant victory for international anti-corruption efforts, the British High Commission has announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the repatriation of $9.5 million to Nigeria. The agreement, signed in December 2025 by Mark Temple, the UK’s Attorney General for Jersey, and Nigeria’s Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, marks the latest chapter in a long-standing partnership to recover illicit wealth hidden in the UK’s Crown Dependencies.

This recovery follows a landmark forfeiture order issued by the Royal Court of Jersey on January 12, 2024, which determined that the funds were the proceeds of corruption involving third-party contractors and senior Nigerian officials.

The Infrastructure Impact: Where the Money Goes

A unique feature of Nigeria’s recent asset recovery agreements is the International Monitoring Arrangement, which ensures that every dollar returned is channeled directly into visible, high-impact public projects.

While previous repatriated funds (exceeding $300 million) were instrumental in completing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge, this new $9.5 million tranche is earmarked for the finalization of the Abuja-Kano Road.

• Project Focus: The 375-kilometre Abuja-Kano Highway.

• Strategic Value: This road is the primary trade artery linking the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the industrial and commercial hubs of Northern Nigeria.

• Transparency: Like its predecessors, this project will be subject to independent audits and international oversight to ensure funds are not diverted.

The Legal Framework: Jersey’s Civil Forfeiture Regime

The forfeiture was made possible by the Forfeiture of Assets (Civil Proceedings) (Jersey) Law 2018. Mark Temple noted that the case proves the effectiveness of robust, non-conviction-based forfeiture laws in tackling complex financial crimes.

Timeline of the $9.5M Recovery:

1. Nov 29, 2023: Jersey’s Attorney General applies for forfeiture under the 2018 Law.

2. Jan 12, 2024: The Royal Court of Jersey finds the funds were diverted from government coffers and issues the forfeiture order.

3. Dec 2025: Official MoU signed between the UK/Jersey and Nigeria.

4. Jan 2026: Implementation of the transfer to support the Abuja-Kano Highway.

Bilateral Strength

Nigeria’s Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasized that this success reinforces the message that foreign jurisdictions are no longer “safe havens” for stolen wealth.⁸ The UK government continues to support Nigeria through:

• Tracing & Seizing: Identifying proceeds of crime hidden in offshore accounts.

• Governance Reform: Strengthening local institutions to prevent future illicit outflows.

• Asset Management: Implementing the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles for transparent returns.

Summary of Major Asset Returns (Jersey to Nigeria)