More than $9.5 million in corrupt funds held in Jersey is to be returned to Nigeria to help fund a critical infrastructure project linking the capital with its second-largest city.
Attorney General Mark Temple signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian government in December, paving the way for the repatriation of money found by the Royal Court to be the proceeds of corruption.
In January 2024, the Royal Court ruled that the money was “more likely than not” to have come from a corrupt scheme involving the diversion of Nigerian government funds by contractors for the benefit of senior officials and their associates.
The money had been held in a Jersey bank account and, after forfeiture, was paid into Jersey’s Criminal Offences Confiscation Fund.
As of November 2025, the total amount stood at just under $9.75 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, Jersey will deduct £45,000 to cover recovery costs before transferring the balance, including accrued interest, to Nigeria’s central bank.
The returned funds will be used to help complete the Abuja–Kano Road, a major 375-kilometre highway linking Nigeria’s capital with its second-largest city.
The road is described in the agreement as a “vital link” for the country’s economic and social development.
The agreement sets out detailed safeguards on how the money can be spent. The funds must be used solely for the road project and cannot be applied to old debts, professional success fees or any individuals or institutions linked to the original wrongdoing.
Independent auditors and a civil society organisation will monitor the spending, with public reports to be published in both Jersey and Nigeria.
The latest fund repatriation builds on two earlier asset recovery agreements between Jersey and Nigeria which have already seen more than $300 million repatriated.
This has funded three major infrastructure projects: the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge and the Abuja–Kano Road. The first two projects are now complete, with the latest funds earmarked for the final stages of the Abuja–Kano route.
Mr Temple said: “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.”
Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, added: “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.
“I want to, on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thank the Bailiwick of Jersey for the cooperation accorded Nigeria during the Recovery exercise.
I want to further assure the Bailiwick of Jersey, that the repatriated assets will be judiciously utilized in line with the terms of the executed Memorandum of Understanding.”