The United States has returned nearly $53 million in assets linked to Nigeria’s former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and her associates. The funds, alleged to be proceeds of corruption, were recovered following investigations into illicit activities during her tenure as Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015.
US authorities claimed the money was used to acquire luxury items, including a 65-meter superyacht named Galactica Star and multiple high-end properties in California and New York. Alison-Madueke has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
At a formal signing ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasized that the repatriation signifies progress in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. He announced that $50 million of the returned funds would support rural electrification projects through the World Bank, while $2.88 million would go to the International Institute of Justice for anti-corruption initiatives.
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, urged transparent and effective use of the funds to benefit Nigerians. He stressed accountability to ensure the money serves its intended purpose. This is the first repatriation of funds linked to Alison-Madueke from outside Nigeria. It follows other high-profile asset recoveries, including $20.6 million in 2022 and $311.8 million in 2020, both tied to former Nigerian leader Gen. Sani Abacha.
