Jersey's Royal Court has ruled in favor of repatriating stolen assets valued at £6.9 million ($8.9 million) to Nigeria. The move follows a forfeiture notice issued by Jersey's Attorney General in November, alleging that the funds, held in a Jersey bank account, were likely misappropriated by Nigerian government officials in 2014. The illicit transfer was reportedly disguised as government-sanctioned contracts for arms purchases during the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria from 2009 to 2015.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who held office from 2010 to 2015, and the controversy surrounding weapons procurement during his tenure, particularly the allegations against the then National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, are mentioned in the report. The Jersey court found that funds originally intended for legitimate arms deals had been diverted through foreign bank accounts and shell companies associated with the former ruling party in Nigeria.
Jersey's Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, highlighted the collaborative effort between Jersey and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the recovery process. Temple emphasized the effectiveness of the 2018 Forfeiture Law in combating corruption and restoring funds to victims of crime. Negotiations for an asset return agreement with the Nigerian government are underway, signaling a commitment to combating corruption and returning ill-gotten gains to their rightful place.
