By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
United Kingdom’s Jersey is set to release fresh $9.5 million (£7 million), believed to be stolen funds linked to former military head of state, General Sani Abacha.
BBC reports that Jersey has agreed to repatriate the fund to the Nigerian government. 
The money, described as proceeds of “tainted property,” is said to be part of the vast fortune stolen by Abacha, who ruled Nigeria between 1993 and 1998.
The funds were kept in a bank account in Jersey and had been tied up in legal proceedings for several years.
Although the assets were first recovered during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, court challenges stalled their return to Nigeria. But progress was made in December 2025 when Jersey’s Attorney-General, Mark Temple, signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigerian authorities to enable the repatriation.
The latest agreement builds on two earlier arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria that led to the return of more than $300 million (£230m) in recovered assets.
