Nigeria’s justice ministry has announced that nearly $53 million in alleged illicit funds recovered from the country’s former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, will be used to fund public services. The funds, which were laundered in the US, will be repatriated to Nigeria.
Alison-Madueke, who served as minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015, has been accused of enriching herself and others by awarding contracts in exchange for bribes. The US alleges that the laundered funds were used to purchase luxury assets, including a 65-meter superyacht and multiple properties in California and New York.
Despite denying all allegations of wrongdoing, Alison-Madueke’s case has sparked significant attention. The US Department of Justice announced the final resolution of two civil cases related to the forfeiture of assets linked to Alison-Madueke and her associates in 2023.
The repatriated funds will be allocated as follows:
– *Rural Electrification Projects*: $50 million will be channeled through the World Bank to support rural electrification projects in Nigeria.
– *Anti-Corruption Efforts*: The remaining $2.88 million will be directed to the International Institute of Justice to strengthen the justice system and promote anti-corruption efforts.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, emphasized the need for accountability and transparent use of the returned funds
