The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration to assist Nigeria in recovering proceeds of corruption stashed in the United States by former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates.
In a letter dated January 18, 2025, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Trump to direct the U.S. Department of Justice to initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings against the stolen funds and ensure their return to Nigeria.
SERAP emphasised that the recovery process must adhere to strict transparency and accountability standards to guarantee that the funds benefit the Nigerian people.
The letter specifically highlighted the recently recovered $52.88 million in forfeited assets linked to former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke as a small portion of the over $500 billion reportedly looted from Nigeria and traced to the U.S.
SERAP also urged Trump to publish the names of Nigerian public officials suspected of corruption and depositing stolen funds in U.S. banks.
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The organisation called for temporary travel bans on these officials, noting that such measures align with U.S. presidential proclamations and the principles of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), to which both the U.S. and Nigeria are signatories.
According to SERAP, proceeds of corruption from Nigeria continue to be deposited in U.S. banks or other locations under U.S. jurisdiction.
The organisation noted that corruption remains a significant obstacle to Nigeria’s sustainable development, the rule of law, and socio-economic rights.
The letter referenced the massive scale of corruption in Nigeria, citing past reports that Nigerian politicians have stolen over $400 billion, as alleged by former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Nuhu Ribadu.
SERAP also pointed out that systemic corruption in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) continues to exacerbate poverty in the country.
SERAP reminded the U.S. government of its obligations under the UNCAC, particularly Articles 51 and 43, which mandate the return of stolen assets to their country of origin.
The organisation called on the U.S. to trace, freeze, seize, and repatriate these funds to Nigeria.
The organisation also referred to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which was instrumental in recovering the $52.88 million linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke.
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It urged the U.S. to intensify efforts in identifying and returning more stolen assets.
SERAP stressed the importance of sharing information on stolen assets with Nigerian civil society organizations, as required under Articles 46(4) and 56 of the UNCAC.
It also advocated for stricter accountability measures to ensure that repatriated funds are used exclusively for the welfare of Nigerians.
SERAP urged Trump to address the legal loopholes that allow corrupt Nigerian officials to hide their ill-gotten wealth in the U.S.
“Returning proceeds of corruption to Nigeria is a development imperative,” SERAP said. “By doing so, the U.S. would contribute to alleviating poverty in Nigeria and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The request comes amidst renewed focus on asset recovery efforts, following the announcement of the agreement to repatriate the $52.88 million in forfeited corruption proceeds. SERAP hopes this initiative will mark the beginning of more extensive cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S. in combating corruption and recovering stolen assets.
