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THE AFRICAN CENTER FOR GOVERNANCE, ASSET RECOVERY, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Nigeria Hosts High-Level Asset Recovery Summit, Launches National Database for Forfeited Assets

Abuja, Nigeria – May 27, 2025 —The African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s asset recovery regime through active participation in a high-level Asset Recovery Summit held in Abuja. The event was convened in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The Summit, themed “Synergizing Towards Effective Asset Recovery and Management,” brought together key stakeholders, including senior representatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency […]

Asset Recovery and Management Manual

Our Publications Resources / Publications / ASSET RECOVERY AND MANAGEMENT MANUAL ASSET RECOVERY AND MANAGEMENT MANUAL The Asset Recovery and Management Manual (the Manual) is a comprehensive guide developed by the Asset Recovery and Management Unit (ARMU) of the Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development, to support the effective implementation of Nigeria’s Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022 (POCA). It provides a practical and simplified overview of the Federal Government’s legal framework for the recovery, management, return and use of proceeds of crime. Download

Special Operation Procedure (SOP) For Efficient Recovery of Stolen Assets

Our Publications Resources / Publications / SPECIAL OPERATION PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR EFFICIENT RECOVERY OF STOLEN ASSETS SPECIAL OPERATION PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR EFFICIENT RECOVERY OF STOLEN ASSETS The Special Operation Procedures (SOP) were developed by the Asset Recovery and Management Unit (ARMU) of the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ) in collaboration with the African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development for officers working in ARMU and other relevant departments. The purpose of the SOP is to ensure the efficient recovery of stolen assets. It sets out the asset recovery process, breaking it down into practical and manageable guidelines. It […]

Interview with Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu By the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption ( AUABC)

Interview with Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, Researcher, School of Law, Politics and Sociology, University of Sussex and an asset recovery expert by the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption ( AUABC) At the African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery & Sustainable Development, we recognize the critical role civil society plays in promoting transparency and accountability. Our Founder and Executive Director, Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, a Postgraduate Researcher at the University of Sussex and a leading expert in asset recovery, emphasizes the importance of involving civil society actors in the monitoring and management of recovered assets. In her interview with the African Union […]

EFCC Restitutes Fraud Victims: A Milestone in Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Efforts

On February 21, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to combating financial crimes by giving over $132,000 and ₦78 million to victims of fraud from the United States, Spain, and Switzerland. The handover, which took place on February 21, 2025, at EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja, was led by Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede. This move is not just about returning stolen assets—it reinforces Nigeria’s stance against economic and financial crimes while strengthening international cooperation. The restitution of funds, vehicles, and real estate to victims highlights EFCC’s proactive role in ensuring justice and rebuilding trust in the […]

Belgium’s Return of Assets to Uzbekistan Fails to Meet International Standards and Increases Risk of Future Misuse- Statement by Central Asia Due Diligence and Uzbek Forum for Human Rights

The Central Asia Due Diligence and Uzbek Forum for Human Rights recently published a statement regarding the Gulnara Karimova case in Belgium. The statement addresses Belgium’s recovering assets that came from bribery purportedly demanded from Uzbek telecom companies by Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of former President Islam Karimov. A court in Brussels ordered the forfeiture of $216 million in accounts held at the local Bank of New York Mellon branch in March 2025. Half of this sum was then given to the Belgian treasury by Belgium’s Central Agency for Seizure and Confiscation, and the other half was given straight to […]

Strengthening Legal Sector Accountability: African Center Hands Over ICT Equipment & Launches AML Web Portal to NBA AMLC

On March 3rd, 2025, a significant milestone in Nigeria’s anti-money laundering efforts was achieved as the African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development, in partnership with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), handed over ICT equipment and launched a new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) web portal for the Nigerian Bar Association’s Anti-Money Laundering Committee (NBAAMLC). The event, held at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja, showcased a unified commitment to ensuring that Nigeria meets international AML standards and works toward removal from the FATF grey list. […]

The African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development (“the African Center”) is an independent civil society organisation based in Nigeria. We work to institute good governance and accountability systems at the local, state, and federal levels of government. We pay particular attention to Goal 16, which aims to create solid institutional foundations for sustainable development.

Explore Our 2023–2024 Annual Report
Discover the impact, milestones, and future vision of the African Center in our latest Annual Report.

Improving Government Accountability

The Recovery and Return of Stolen Assets

The Implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Vision

We envision a world free from illicit financial flows, where proceeds of crime are recovered and returned to the victims of corruption to improve livelihood and reduce poverty and inequality.

Mission

Our mission is to reinforce the links between governance, asset recovery, and sustainable development goals in line with Agenda 2030 and the promotion of the rule of law, strengthening justice institutions, preventing illicit financial flows, recovering stolen assets, and social reuse of stolen assets.