In a significant victory in the global fight against corruption and financial crimes, the Jersey Royal Court has ruled that the government of Jersey should return stolen assets confiscated from individuals linked to Nigeria’s former national security adviser valued at £6.9 million ($8.9 million) to Nigeria.

The decision followed the publication of a Forfeiture Notice in November 2023 by Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple QC. The Notice alleged that the funds deposited in a Jersey bank account were tainted money that had been misappropriated by Nigerian government officials in 2014.

The court documents alleged that the embezzled money was disguised as payment for official contracts linked to the procurement of arms during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure from 2010 to 2015. The Jersey court’s findings revealed that a substantial portion of the funds, initially designated for legitimate arms deals, had been diverted through foreign bank accounts and shell companies linked to former security officers.

Attorney-General Mark Temple QC emphasised the collaborative effort between Jersey and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the recovery process leading to the forfeiture of the assets. Temple highlighted that plans are underway to negotiate an asset return agreement with the Nigerian government.

He noted that “This case again demonstrates the effectiveness of the 2018 Forfeiture Law in recovering the proceeds of corruption and restoring money to victims of crime” The decision by Jersey’s Royal Court represents a crucial step forward in the global fight against corruption. It signals the commitment of jurisdictions to collaborate in holding perpetrators accountable and returning misappropriated funds to their rightful owners.

The African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development (the African Center”) is an independent civil society organisation headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. The African Center collaborates with national governments, international and regional organisations, and non-governmental organisations to promote good governance, sustainable development, and the rule of law. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dhAxzGEr

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