ANEEJ Commends UK High Court Ruling on Abigail Katung’s Money Laundering Case

…Urges Transparent Repatriation of Recovered Funds to Benefit Nigeria’s Poor

Benin City, Nigeria – June 11, 2025 – Anti-corruption watchdog, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has strongly commended the ruling of the United Kingdom’s High Court of Justice ordering the forfeiture of a £1 million luxury property acquired by Mrs. Abigail Katung, the current Lord Mayor of Leeds and wife of Nigerian Senator Sunday Marshall Katung.

In a statement issued to the press today in reaction to the judgement, ANEEJ Executive Director, and former Co-chair of the UNCAC Coalition, Rev. David Ugolor, described the decision as a “critical win for global anti-corruption efforts” and a reminder that no politically exposed person (PEP) should be shielded from accountability, no matter how far removed they may seem from the original offence.

“This ruling strengthens international resolve against illicit financial flows involving politically exposed persons and affirms the UK’s commitment to the global anti-corruption framework,” said Rev. David Ugolor,

The case is particularly relevant given Senator Katung’s status as a serving Nigerian lawmaker and raises important concerns about the misuse of public trust and the exploitation of weak financial oversight for personal enrichment.

While commending the ruling by the court, Ugolor also calls on the UK Government and its relevant agencies to work with Nigerian authorities to return the recovered funds transparently, in accordance with Chapter V of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which emphasizes the return of assets to the country of origin as a fundamental principle.

“We also urge that the repatriated funds be used specifically for social protection programs that benefit Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable communities, in line with the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles of transparency, accountability, and public participation in the use of returned assets,” Ugolor emphasised

Furthermore, this case highlights the critical importance of adherence to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards on beneficial ownership transparency, due diligence, and the need for effective international cooperation to trace, freeze, and return illicitly acquired assets.

“ANEEJ remains committed to ensuring that every kobo recovered from corrupt acts finds its way back to the people and is used to address development needs, not recycled into further elite capture,” Rev. Ugolor added.

As part of its broader advocacy under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement and other anti-corruption platforms in Nigeria, ANEEJ will continue to monitor asset recovery efforts, push for legislative reforms in Nigeria, and work with civil society partners globally to ensure stolen assets are returned and used for the public good.

Delivered on June 6, 2025, by Justice Jay of the King’s Bench Division, the ruling determined that the property, originally owned by a convicted money launderer, was “recoverable property” under the UK’s Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). The court found that the £400,000 deposit paid by Mrs. Katung was tainted by irregular foreign exchange transactions, weak documentation, and an attempt to circumvent Nigeria’s financial laws. While Mrs. Katung was not found to have knowingly engaged with criminal actors, the judgment confirmed that the funds used for the purchase were unlawfully transferred and are now subject to forfeiture.

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