The United States has repatriated approximately $52.88 million in alleged illicit funds linked to Nigeria’s former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to the West African nation. Nigeria’s justice ministry announced that the funds would be used to support public services, including rural electrification and anti-corruption efforts.
The US Department of Justice revealed that the funds were laundered through the United States by Alison-Madueke and her associates during her tenure as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015. The recovered assets include money allegedly used to purchase a 65-meter superyacht, the Galactica Star, and luxury properties in California and New York. This reportedly marks the first repatriation of assets tied to Alison-Madueke from outside Nigeria.
At a formal ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, described the repatriation as a significant step in the fight against corruption, according to reports.
Alison-Madueke, who served in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015) and was the first female president of OPEC, has consistently denied allegations of wrongdoing. She is also facing bribery charges in the United Kingdom related to alleged gifts of luxury goods, cash payments, and private school fees.