The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on US President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration to identify, recover, and return proceeds of corruption traced to former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates.
In a letter dated January 18, 2025, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged Trump to ensure that any returned assets meet strict transparency and accountability standards to benefit the Nigerian people.
Identify And Seize Corruption Proceeds, SERAP Demands
SERAP requested the Trump administration to direct the US Department of Justice to promptly initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings against any proceeds of corruption linked to Nigerian officials within US jurisdictions.
“Diezani Alison-Madueke’s looted assets and other recently returned funds are just a fraction of the over $500 billion reportedly stolen from Nigeria and located in the US or subject to US jurisdiction,” SERAP noted.
The letter also called for the publication of names of Nigerian public officials suspected of corrupt practices and depositing stolen funds in US banks.
SERAP proposed that such officials be temporarily barred from entering the US under existing presidential proclamations.
US Commitment to Asset Recovery
SERAP reminded Trump of commitments made by the US to assist Nigeria in asset recovery matters under the UN Convention against Corruption, to which both nations are signatories.
“Our requests are brought in the public interest and align with the UN Convention against Corruption. Proceeds of corruption from Nigeria continue to be deposited in US banks or in other locations under US jurisdiction,” the letter stated.
$52.88 Million Diezani Loot Returned
SERAP’s call followed the recent return of $52.88 million in forfeited corruption proceeds linked to former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The group highlighted the urgency of recovering the significant sums reportedly laundered in the US and using them for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
The organization stressed that recovered funds must be utilized transparently to ensure that they positively impact Nigeria’s development.
The letter reads, “We hope you and your incoming government address the legal impediments that have continued to allow corrupt Nigerian government officials to deposit and conceal their ill-gotten assets in the US and other locations subject to US jurisdiction.
“Returning proceeds of corruption to Nigeria is a development imperative. By returning proceeds of corruption to Nigeria, the US would be contributing to the efforts to address the growing poverty in the country and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The US has the obligations under the relevant provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption to trace, freeze and seize proceeds of corruption from Nigeria and located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction and to return the assets to the Nigerian people.
“A whole chapter of the Convention is devoted to international cooperation in the recovery and return of stolen assets including from Nigeria (chapter V, comprising 9 articles).
“SERAP is concerned that corruption remains a major obstacle to sustainable development, the rule of law and the effective enjoyment of socio-economic rights in Nigeria. Implementing the recommended measures would contribute to addressing these governance challenges.
“Corrupt practices have long been accepted as a fact of life and an inalienable part of the country’s ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] and the governmental power structures across several states.
“Nigeria’s auditor-general office annually documents widespread and systemic corruption in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) including in the petroleum, education, health and water sectors, plunging millions of Nigerians further into poverty. The auditor-general office has declared trillions of naira as missing or diverted.”
Naija News reports that SERAP charged the US to share information with relevant Nigerian civil society organizations on stolen assets of Nigerian origin located in the US.
The group also called on the US government to impose a temporary travel ban on former and current Nigerian public officials suspected to be responsible for keeping proceeds of corruption.
The group wrote, “SERAP urges you to promptly share information with relevant Nigerian civil society organizations on stolen assets of Nigerian origin located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction, as required by Articles 46(4) and 56 of the UN Convention Against Corruption.
“Imposing a temporary travel ban on former and current Nigerian public officials suspected to be responsible for keeping proceeds of corruption in the US or in locations subject to US jurisdiction would not violate due process and presumption of innocence principles, as long as the reasons for the sanctions are communicated to those that may be affected.
“According to reports, the U.S. Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria recently announced an agreement to promptly repatriate approximately $52.88 million in forfeited corruption proceeds.
“These funds were forfeited to the United States as part of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice. The forfeited assets had been illegally acquired using funds linked to money laundering and a conspiracy to bribe former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“In 2007, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu alleged that Nigerian politicians stole over $400 billion. Former military dictator General Sani Abacha reportedly collected truck-loads of cash running into billions of naira from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“According to the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) estimates, illicit funds associated with bribes received by public officials from developing and transition countries alone are estimated at USD 20 billion to USD 40 billion per year – a figure equivalent to 20 to 40 percent of flows of official development assistance.
“SERAP notes that Article 51 of the UN Convention against Corruption provides for the return of ‘corrupt’ assets to countries of origin as a fundamental principle. Article 43 provides likewise.
“Similarly, under Articles 47(3)(a) and (b) states parties have an obligation to return forfeited or confiscated assets in cases of public corruption, as here, or when the requesting party reasonably establishes either prior ownership or damages to the states.
“A resolution adopted by the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption in Panama in November 2013 reaffirms this obligation, by requiring state to make ‘every effort’ to return such proceeds. to the victim state.”