The United States has returned $52.88 million in alleged illicit funds linked to Nigeria’s former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, marking a significant step in the global fight against corruption. The repatriated funds, recovered through civil forfeiture cases, are set to fund key public service projects in Nigeria, according to the country’s Ministry of Justice.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 and was the first female president of OPEC, has long faced allegations of corruption. US authorities claim she and her associates used bribes from oil contracts to purchase luxury assets, including a $127 million superyacht, the Galactica Star, and high-end properties in California and New York. While Alison-Madueke, now 64, has consistently denied all allegations, her financial dealings remain under intense scrutiny in the US and UK, where she faces bribery charges.
The US Department of Justice announced the resolution of two civil forfeiture cases in 2023, paving the way for the repatriation of the funds. At a formal signing ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasized that the funds would serve critical development purposes.
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Of the $52.88 million, $50 million will be funneled through the World Bank to support rural electrification projects, aiming to improve access to electricity in underserved areas. The remaining $2.88 million will be directed to the International Institute of Justice to bolster Nigeria’s judicial system and promote anti-corruption initiatives.
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, underscored the importance of transparency in the use of the funds. “The Ministry of Justice must ensure these resources are utilized effectively to improve the lives of Nigerians,” he said, emphasizing the need for strict accountability.
This marks the first instance of funds linked to Alison-Madueke being repatriated from outside Nigeria. It also follows previous high-profile repatriations of stolen assets, including $20.6 million linked to former Nigerian military leader Gen. Sani Abacha in 2022 and $311.8 million five years earlier.
The return of these funds represents a victory in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption, with hopes that the recovered wealth will be used to address critical national needs and foster trust in governance.
