Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey have reached an agreement to return more than $9.5 million in funds linked to corruption back to the Nigerian government. The funds, forfeited through a court process, will support key infrastructure projects. This deal builds on previous repatriations that have funded major road developments.
Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey have formalized an agreement to repatriate over $9.5 million identified as proceeds of corruption. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in December 2025 by Mark Temple KC, Jersey's Attorney General, enabling the transfer of these funds to Nigeria for infrastructure initiatives.
The funds originated from a civil forfeiture case under Jersey's Forfeiture of Assets (Civil Proceedings) (Jersey) Law 2018. On 29 November 2023, the Jersey Attorney General petitioned the Royal Court of Jersey. The court ruled on 12 January 2024 that the money was "more likely than not the proceeds of a corrupt scheme," involving the diversion of Nigerian government funds by contractors for the benefit of senior officials and their associates.
This repatriation follows prior collaborations between the two jurisdictions, which have already returned over $300 million to Nigeria. Those earlier funds supported projects like the completed Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Second Niger Bridge, as well as the ongoing Abuja-Kano Road. The new $9.5 million will specifically aid the final phases of the 375-kilometre Abuja-Kano Road, a vital connection between Abuja and Kano.
Mark Temple KC highlighted the role of Jersey's legislation, stating: "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, emphasized the importance of international partnerships. He noted: "The successful recovery and repatriation of the forfeited assets ensures that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth or assets moved to foreign jurisdictions." Fagbemi assured proper use of the funds in line with the MoU and expressed gratitude to Jersey for its support.
