Authorities in Jersey, a British Crown Dependency in the Channel Islands, have agreed to return more than 9.5 million dollars, equivalent to seven million pounds, to the Nigerian government. The funds are to be channelled into infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
The repatriation follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December between the Attorney General for Jersey, Mark Temple KC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria. The agreement builds on earlier arrangements under which more than 300 million dollars was previously returned to Nigeria from funds held in Jersey.
Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said the money would be used in line with the terms of the agreement. He said the funds would support the final stages of construction on the highway linking Abuja and Lagos.
In 2024, Jersey’s Royal Court ruled that the funds were more likely than not proceeds of corruption involving third-party contractors who diverted government funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates. The money was recovered during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, with the return delayed due to legal challenges.
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