Nigeria to Recover Additional $9.5m Abacha Assets as Jersey Approves Repatriation

Nigeria is set to receive an additional $9.5 million (£7 million) in recovered assets linked to former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, following an agreement with the United Kingdom’s Jersey authorities.

According to reports by the BBC, the government of Jersey has agreed to repatriate the funds to Nigeria after years of legal proceedings. The money, described as proceeds of “tainted property,” forms part of the extensive fortune allegedly looted during Abacha’s rule between 1993 and 1998.

The funds had been lodged in a bank account in Jersey and were entangled in prolonged court disputes, which delayed their return to Nigeria. Although the assets were initially recovered during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, legal challenges stalled the repatriation process for several years.

A breakthrough was achieved in December 2025, when Jersey’s Attorney-General, Mark Temple, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigerian authorities, paving the way for the release and transfer of the funds.

The latest agreement builds on earlier cooperation between Nigeria and Jersey. Previous arrangements between both parties resulted in the successful repatriation of more than $300 million (£230 million) in recovered Abacha-linked assets.

The impending return of the $9.5 million further underscores ongoing international efforts to recover stolen public funds and return them to Nigeria, where authorities have pledged to deploy such resources toward development and public welfare projects.