The Bailiwick of Jersey has agreed to return more than $9.5 million in recovered corruption proceeds to Nigeria, marking another milestone in the country’s ongoing fight against financial crimes.
The repatriation follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in December 2025 by Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC. The agreement was formally confirmed in Abuja on Friday, January 9, 2026, according to a statement issued by the British High Commission and signed by Stephen Odekunle.
The funds were forfeited after a Royal Court of Jersey ruling on January 12, 2024, which held that the money in a Jersey bank account was “more likely than not” linked to a corrupt scheme. The court found that third-party contractors had diverted public funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates. The forfeiture was carried out under Jersey’s Forfeiture of Assets (Civil Proceedings) Law 2018.
Describing the recovery as a clear signal of Jersey’s zero tolerance for corruption, Temple said the case demonstrated the strength of the island’s legal framework.
“This successful return highlights the effectiveness of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool against corruption,” he said, commending the Economic Crime and Confiscation Unit for its commitment.
The latest recovery builds on earlier agreements under which Jersey returned over $300 million to Nigeria. Those funds were used to support key infrastructure projects, including the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, and the Abuja–Kano Road. While the first two projects have been completed, the newly recovered $9.5 million will be applied to the final stages of the 375-kilometre Abuja–Kano highway, a major route linking the nation’s capital to its second-largest city.
Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), welcomed the development, stressing its importance in curbing illicit financial flows.
“The recovery of these assets underscores Nigeria’s commitment to tracking illicit funds abroad and ensuring there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth,” he said.
Fagbemi also assured that the funds would be used strictly in line with the MoU, while thanking the Jersey authorities for their continued cooperation.
The agreement further underscores growing international collaboration in tackling corruption and highlights how recovered assets can be redirected to support Nigeria’s infrastructure and development priorities