The Bailiwick of Jersey has agreed to repatriate more than $9.5 million in forfeited corruption proceeds to Nigeria under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025.
Okay News reports that the funds will support completion of the Abuja-Kano Road project, a vital 375-kilometre highway linking Nigeria’s capital to its second-largest city.
Jersey’s Attorney General Mark Temple KC signed the MoU, describing it as proof of the effectiveness of Jersey’s civil forfeiture regime in combating corruption.
He thanked Nigerian authorities for their cooperation throughout the process.
Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi SAN welcomed the repatriation, assuring Jersey that the funds will be used judiciously per the agreement terms.
The assets were forfeited after a Royal Court of Jersey ruling on January 12, 2024, determining they likely originated from a corrupt scheme involving third-party contractors, senior Nigerian officials, and associates.
The court applied the Forfeiture of Assets (Civil Proceedings) (Jersey) Law 2018 following an application in November 2023.
This repatriation builds on two prior agreements returning over $300 million, deployed to complete the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Second Niger Bridge, with remaining portions supporting the Abuja-Kano Road.
The latest tranche will finance final stages of the same highway project.
Jersey, a British Crown Dependency, maintains independent laws and finances while the UK handles defence and international relations.
The development underscores growing international cooperation in asset recovery efforts targeting proceeds of corruption diverted from Nigeria.
It follows previous repatriations, including £4.2 million from the UK in 2021 linked to former Delta State Governor James Ibori and $52.88 million from the US in 2025 associated with former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
