Jersey authorities have agreed to return over $9.5 million (£7 million) in “tainted property” to Nigeria, deemed proceeds of corruption.
The funds, held in a Jersey bank account, were linked to a scheme where third-party contractors diverted government funds for senior officials’ benefit.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2025 by Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, and Nigerian authorities paves the way for repatriation.
According to BBC report, the agreement builds on two previous asset recovery arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria, which resulted in the return of more than $300 million (£230 million) in alleged looted funds associated with the era of former military ruler Sani Abacha.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed the funds will be used for infrastructure development, specifically the Abuja-Kano Road, a vital transport corridor.
Jersey’s Royal Court ruled in January 2024 that the funds were “more likely than not” derived from corruption.
Temple praised Jersey’s civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful anti-corruption tool.