ANEEJ Welcomes Repatriation of $9.75 Million from Jersey, Assures Independent Monitoring of Funds Utilisation

BENIN CITY, NIGERIA. January 12, 2025…The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has welcomed the repatriation of US $9,750,992.41 in corruptly acquired funds from the Bailiwick of Jersey to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the financing of critical infrastructure projects. While commending the transparent approach adopted by the Government of Jersey, ANEEJ has called on the Nigerian government to reciprocate by publicly disclosing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the utilisation of the funds.

In a press statement issued in Benin City, ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, applauded Jersey’s Law Officers’ Department for publishing the MoU and related project information on its official website, including implementation details and contact information of responsible officials. He urged the Nigerian authorities to publish the same document on the website of the Federal Ministry of Justice to enhance transparency and public accountability, in line with the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) Principles.

“We commend the Jersey Law Officers’ Department for demonstrating openness by publishing the Memorandum of Understanding with full project details and implementation arrangements. We strongly encourage the Nigerian government to publish the MoU on the Federal Ministry of Justice’s website to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust, consistent with GFAR Principles,” Ugolor stated.

ANEEJ particularly welcomed the MoU provision allowing the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to engage a civil society organisation as an independent third-party monitor to oversee the implementation of the project financed with the recovered assets.

“The inclusion of civil society organisations in monitoring the utilisation of recovered assets aligns with GFAR Principle 10, which emphasises transparency, accountability, and stakeholder participation. Such oversight provides citizens with feedback mechanisms and ensures that recovered funds are used for their intended public benefit. Beyond this provision, ANEEJ will independently monitor the project implementation and make its findings available to the public,” Ugolor added.

Under the terms of the MoU, the repatriated funds will be applied to the final stages of the Abuja–Kano Road project, a 375-kilometre highway that constitutes a strategic transport corridor linking Nigeria’s capital city with its second-largest commercial centre. The project is expected to improve mobility, stimulate economic activity, and enhance national integration.

ANEEJ reiterated that asset recovery must go beyond restitution and translate into tangible development outcomes for Nigerians, particularly through transparent processes that enable citizens to track recovered funds from return to impact.

“Recovered assets must deliver visible benefits to Nigerians. Transparency allows citizens to follow the money from recovery through allocation to implementation and results. ANEEJ remains committed to working with government institutions, international partners, and citizens to ensure that recovered assets are managed transparently, accountably, and strictly in the public interest,” Ugolor concluded.

It will be recalled that in January 2024, the Royal Court of Jersey ruled that the funds were “more likely than not” derived from a corrupt scheme involving the diversion of Nigerian government resources by contractors for the benefit of senior public officials and their associates. Following forfeiture, the funds were paid into Jersey’s Criminal Offences Confiscation Fund before being repatriated to Nigeria in accordance with international asset recovery standards.

For further information, please contact +234 9069725955 or info@aneej.org and follow us on twitter, Instagram and facebook: @aneejnigria, aneej__nigeria and facebook.com/aneejnigeria