A coalition of Nigerian and United Kingdom civil society organisations has called for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s asset recovery efforts following the acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by a UK court.
The call was made on Tuesday, September 9, 2026, at a media and civil society briefing organised by the African Network for Environmental Justice (ANEEJ), where stakeholders examined the implications of the UK court proceedings for Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign, asset recovery and management of the country’s oil wealth.
The briefing attracted more than 55 participants, including legal experts, journalists, academics and civil society representatives. Among those present were ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor; HEDA Resource Centre Chairman, Suraj Olaruwanju; CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani; Deputy Director of Spotlight on Corruption UK, Helen Taylor; and Legal Fellow, Zainab Saleem.
Speaking at the event, Ugolor said the UK verdict should not end discussions around Nigeria’s oil wealth, public accountability, illicit financial flows and asset recovery.
He stressed that while international cooperation remained important because illicit financial flows often cross borders, Nigeria must strengthen its domestic capacity to investigate corruption, prosecute sustainable cases and recover stolen assets.
Rafsanjani said the acquittal had also raised concerns about how assets linked to public officials are traced, assessed and managed. He called for greater clarity and public accounting on the status of recovered assets and those connected to corruption investigations.
Diezani was acquitted by the Southwark Crown Court in London on June 17, 2026, after facing bribery allegations. Prosecutors had alleged that she lived a life of luxury in London financed by wealthy Nigerian oil and gas businessmen seeking government contracts.
However, the acquittal does not automatically affect assets previously forfeited through separate civil proceedings in the UK, United States and Nigeria.
Before the acquittal, the United States Department of Justice reached an agreement with Nigeria to repatriate $52.88 million in forfeited assets, including the Galactica Star superyacht and luxury real estate allegedly linked to Diezani and her associates.
In Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has also secured final forfeiture orders involving jewellery, millions of dollars in cash and several properties.
Against this background, the CSOs recommended that Nigeria strengthen its domestic institutions so it can independently investigate corruption cases, prosecute them effectively and recover assets without over-relying on foreign jurisdictions.
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They also called for greater transparency in the management of recovered assets, including clear information on how such assets are traced, managed and eventually utilised.
The coalition further urged the government to strengthen international cooperation while implementing domestic reforms that would ensure recovered funds and properties are properly tracked and accounted for.
The groups also called for sustained public discussion on accountability, particularly concerning the management of Nigeria’s oil wealth and loopholes that enable illicit financial flows.
The CSOs said the UK verdict should serve as an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its anti-corruption and asset recovery systems, protect public resources and ensure recovered assets are managed transparently for the benefit of Nigerians.
