The United States government has repatriated $52.88 million, which it traced to former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
On Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, Jr., led a delegation to execute the Assets Return Agreement at the Federal Ministry of Justice headquarters in Abuja.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, signed the agreement on behalf of the Nigerian government. He revealed that the $52.88 million stemmed from the forfeiture of Galactica assets linked to the former minister and her associates.
The AGF emphasized that this development highlights the unwavering commitment of both nations to combat corruption. He added that it demonstrates the United States’ dedication to facilitating restitution and promoting integrity and accountability in governance.
“Measures have also been put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not only disbursed but also utilized transparently and accountably by the World Bank and IIJ, with periodic reports to be forwarded to Nigeria and the US on the implementation of the projects.
“This robust framework will guarantee that the funds are effectively used for the full benefit of the Nigerian people in line with UNCAC and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles,” the AGF added.
