Authorities in Jersey have agreed to repatriate over $9.5 million (£7 million) linked to corrupt practices to the Nigerian government, marking another step in Nigeria’s long-time efforts at recovering looted funds from the military era.
The funds are believed to have been stolen by the late former military ruler, Sani Abacha, who was Nigeria Head of State from 1993 to 1998.
Although the recovery process was concluded during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, legal proceedings delayed its return for several years.
Jersey’s Attorney-General, Mark Temple, , in December, 2025, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria to facilitate the repatriation.
The money had been held in a bank account on the island. It was gathered that that the agreement builds on two prior arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria, which resulted in the repatriation of over $300 million (£230 million) in recovered assets.
A ruling by Jersey’s Royal Court in January 2024 found that the funds were “more likely than not” the proceeds of corruption, noting that third-party contractors diverted public funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the funds would be used strictly according to the MoU and announced that they would be directed towards the final stages of a major highway project linking Abuja to Nigeria’s second-largest city, a key transport corridor.
Temple hailed the repatriation as evidence of the strength of Jersey’s civil forfeiture legislation, describing it as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption.
Some citizens who reacted to the report, wondered how ruthlessly greedy Nigerian leaders could be and recommended ruthless penalties for such people whether in government or outside government
While some suggested life in prison for such leaders, others prescribed death sentence as the only antidote to rid the country of the menace
