The Nigerian Government and the United States have concluded arrangements to repatriate $52.9m stolen by former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke
The corruption proceeds according to a statement signed by the acting Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa and made available to AIT were forfeited to the United States as part of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The statement added that this marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the United States to combat corruption and recover misappropriated assets.
Through court proceedings ending in 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s International Corruption Unit, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation successfully forfeited various high-value assets, including the superyacht Galactica Star and prime real estate in California and New York.
MUST READ: Appeal Court Nullifies Judgment Restraining Bayero From Parading Self As Kano Emir
Under the agreement signed, the recovered funds will be used to finance electrification projects in Nigeria and international efforts to combat terrorism.
The U.S. government remains steadfast in its commitment to combatting corruption and money laundering. Similarly, the Federal Government of Nigeria remains dedicated to promoting accountability and good governance, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in the fight against corruption.
The repatriated assets signify a shared investment in Nigeria’s development, strengthening the enduring partnership between the two nations.
