Nigeria to Receive Over $9.5 Million Recovered from Jersey for Road Project

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reached an agreement with the Bailiwick of Jersey to repatriate more than $9.5 million identified as proceeds of corruption. The funds are set to support the completion of the Abuja–Kano Road, a critical transport corridor linking the nation’s capital to its second-largest city.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the repatriation was signed in December 2025 by Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, and confirmed in Abuja on Friday. The funds were previously frozen following a Royal Court of Jersey ruling in January 2024, which found that the money, held in a Jersey bank account, was likely diverted from government contracts for the benefit of Nigerian officials and associates.

Temple said the return of the funds highlights Jersey’s strong anti-corruption framework and effective cooperation with Nigeria. “This recovery demonstrates the power of our civil forfeiture laws as a tool in combating corruption,” he stated, praising the joint efforts of both nations’ authorities.

Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), welcomed the development, noting that it reflects Nigeria’s commitment to tracing illicit funds abroad and ensuring accountability. “The repatriation of these assets shows that there is no safe haven for wealth acquired through corruption,” Fagbemi said.

This agreement follows two earlier arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria, which have already facilitated the return of more than $300 million. The recovered funds previously supported the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, and the Abuja–Kano Road, with the first two projects now completed.

The latest tranche will be directed specifically to the final stages of the Abuja–Kano Road project, a 375-kilometre highway crucial for trade, mobility, and regional connectivity. Authorities say the completion of the road will significantly enhance economic activity along the route.

Officials from both countries emphasized that the ongoing cooperation strengthens global efforts against financial crime and underscores the effectiveness of civil forfeiture mechanisms in recovering illicitly obtained funds.

The Federal Government continues to prioritize transparency and accountability, using recovered assets to advance critical infrastructure and public welfare projects nationwide.