File photo of late Nigerian military ruler Sani Abacha and former President Goodluck Jonathan

Over $9.5 million linked to Sani Abacha-era corruption will be returned to Nigeria by UK Crown Dependency Jersey.

The money, described as proceeds of “tainted property,” was held in a bank account on the island and had been tied up in legal proceedings for several years.

The funds were originally recovered during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but their return to Nigeria was delayed due to prolonged court processes in Jersey.

In December, Jersey’s Attorney-General, Mark Temple, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian government to facilitate the final repatriation.

In a ruling delivered in January 2024, the Royal Court of Jersey held that the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption.

The court found that third-party contractors diverted public funds for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates during the Abacha era.

Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the recovered assets would be utilised strictly in line with the terms of the MoU.

He disclosed that the funds would be applied to the final stages of a major highway project linking Abuja to Nigeria’s second-largest city, describing the road as a vital national infrastructure corridor.

Mark Temple said the repatriation reflects the strength of Jersey’s legal framework in tackling financial crimes.

“The return demonstrates the effectiveness of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption,” he said.

The repatriation adds to over $300 million previously returned to Nigeria through earlier agreements with Jersey, reinforcing international cooperation aimed at denying safe havens for illicitly acquired public funds.