Breaking: US Govt Returns Ex-minister Diezani’s $52.88 Million Assets to Nigeria, Details Emerge
- In a significant step to tackle corruption, the United States government has commenced the move to return $52.88 million to the Nigerian government
- The $52.88m funds were gotten from the forfeiture of Galactica assets, linked to the ex-minister of petroleum Diezani Madueke and her associates
- The US ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, Jr, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), confirmed this in a statement released on Friday
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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
FCT, Abuja - The government of the United States of America (USA) has repatriated $52.88 million, traced to a former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Madueke.
Source: Getty Images
The US ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard M. Mills, Jr, revealed this in Abuja, on Friday, January 10, 2025.
He led a delegation that executed the Assets Return Agreement at the Federal Ministry of Justice Headquarters in Abuja.
Where did $52.88m linked to Diezani come from?
Signing the agreement on behalf of the federal government, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed that the $52.88m arose from the forfeiture of Galactica assets, linked to the ex-minister and her associates.
As reported by Vanguard, the AGF maintained that the development was not only a testament to the unwavering commitment of both nations to fight corruption but also signified the commitment of the USA to facilitate restitution and support integrity and accountability in governance.
“Measures have also been put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not only disbursed but also utilized transparently and accountably by the World Bank and IIJ, with periodic reports to be forwarded to Nigeria and the US on the implementation of the projects.
“This robust framework will guarantee that the funds are effectively used for the full benefit of the Nigerian people in line with UNCAC and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles,” the AGF added.
Read more about Diezani here:
- “Stop using my name”: Drama as Diezani’s former husband drags ex-minister to court, details emerge
- Buhari, Ganduje, Diezani, 3 other politicians born on Christmas Day, December
Did Diezani beg Tinubu to return to Nigeria?
Meanwhile, the former minister of petroleum denied granting an interview in London recently where she begged President Bola Tinubu to allow her to return home.
Diezani, who served in Goodluck Jonathan's government, fled Nigeria in 2015 and has been in the United Kingdom (UK). She is facing corruption charges in Nigeria and the UK.
The former minister said she did not grant any interview recently and described the report as “fake” and “concocted.”
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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