The Federal Government of Nigeria has recovered $52.88 million linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United States.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, announced the development during a formal signing ceremony in Abuja on Friday.
Asset Allocation
Fagbemi revealed the breakdown of the recovered funds:
- $50 million will be channelled through the World Bank for rural electrification projects to boost development in underserved areas.
- $2 million will be allocated to the International Institute of Justice to strengthen the justice system and combat corruption.
Milestone in Anti-Corruption Efforts
The Minister described the asset recovery as a milestone in the collaboration between Nigeria and the United States to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law. He emphasized that this achievement aligns with President Bola Tinubu's commitment to addressing corruption and fostering accountability in governance.
US Ambassador’s Call for Accountability
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, praised the recovery efforts and urged the Ministry of Justice to ensure transparency and effective utilisation of the funds. He stressed that the assets must directly benefit the Nigerian people.
This marks another significant step in Nigeria's ongoing battle against corruption and the recovery of stolen public funds.
