Jane Otu
DAILY COURIER – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has appealed to the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration take decisive steps in identifying and recovering proceeds of corruption linked to Nigerian public officials stashed in the United States.
SERAP also called for measures to ensure the transparent and accountable return of such assets to Nigeria.
In a letter dated January 18, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged the U.S. Department of Justice to initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings against funds traced to corrupt Nigerian officials and their associates.
SERAP emphasised the importance of adhering to global anti-corruption standards to ensure that recovered assets benefit the Nigerian people.
The appeal follows the recent recovery of $52.88 million in forfeited assets linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources.
SERAP estimates this sum represents a small fraction of over $500 billion allegedly stolen from Nigeria and concealed in the U.S.
The letter read in part, “The U.S. has obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption to trace, freeze, seize, and return proceeds of corruption to Nigeria. Returning these assets is a development imperative that will aid in addressing poverty and achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.”
SERAP also requested that the U.S. government publish the names of Nigerian officials implicated in corruption and consider imposing temporary travel bans on them.
The organisation argued that such measures would serve as a deterrent while aligning with international anti-corruption commitments.
Highlighting systemic corruption in Nigeria, SERAP stated, “The Auditor-General’s Office has documented trillions of naira as missing or diverted across ministries, departments, and agencies, including critical sectors like petroleum, education, and health. These governance challenges have plunged millions of Nigerians further into poverty.”
SERAP noted that the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative estimates illicit funds from bribes globally at $20 billion to $40 billion annually, a significant portion of which originates from developing countries like Nigeria.
The group further urged the U.S. to collaborate with Nigerian civil society organizations in tracing stolen assets and ensuring their judicious use upon repatriation.
