The United States has officially returned nearly $53 million in alleged stolen funds to Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against corruption. The funds were recovered from Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former petroleum minister, who is accused of amassing illicit wealth during her tenure from 2010 to 2015.
The U.S. Department of Justice has long accused Alison-Madueke and her associates of enriching themselves through fraudulent oil contracts, which involved receiving bribes. These funds were allegedly used to purchase luxury items, including a 65-meter superyacht, the Galactica Star, and several multimillion-dollar properties in the U.S.
Alison-Madueke, 64, has consistently denied all allegations of corruption. However, her actions have attracted significant scrutiny both in the U.S. and the UK. In addition to the U.S. charges, she faces bribery-related charges in the UK, which include receiving lavish gifts and paying private school fees using public funds.
In a formal repatriation ceremony held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi highlighted the importance of returning the stolen assets, emphasizing that the funds would be used to improve the lives of Nigerians. Of the $52.88 million returned, $50 million will be allocated to rural electrification projects through the World Bank, while the remaining $2.88 million will be used to bolster Nigeria’s justice system and anti-corruption initiatives via the International Institute of Justice.
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, underscored the need for transparency in how the repatriated funds are used, urging the Nigerian government to ensure they are spent efficiently to benefit the Nigerian people.
This marks the latest step in a series of international asset repatriations, following the $311.8 million returned in 2018 from former Nigerian military leader Gen Sani Abacha’s regime. These efforts reflect growing global cooperation in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.
