Politics
Alison-Madueke’s Loot: SERAP Writes Trump, Seeks Return Of Stolen Assets, Ban On Corrupt Officials
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged US President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration “to promptly identify US-based proceeds of corruption traced to former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates and to ensure the full recovery and return of any such stolen assets to Nigeria.”
The SERAP said, “any return of proceeds of corruption from Nigeria must meet strict transparency and accountability standards to ensure the funds are used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people.”
The SERAP urged him to “direct the US Department of Justice to promptly initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings against proceeds of corruption traced to former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates so as to fulfill several non-controversial commitments by the US to assist Nigeria in asset recovery matters.”
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The SERAP also urged him “to identify and publish the names of former and current Nigerian public officials suspected to be responsible for corruption and the depositing of its proceeds in US banks, and to apply existing US presidential proclamations to temporarily ban such officials from entering the US.”
In the letter dated 18 January 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Diezani Alison-Madueke’s looted assets and other recently returned assets represent a tiny fraction of the over $500 billions that have been reportedly stolen from Nigeria and located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction.”
The SERAP said, “Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the UN Convention against Corruption to which both the US and Nigeria are states parties.”
According to the SERAP, “Proceeds of corruption from Nigeria continue to be deposited in US banks or in other locations subject to US jurisdictions.”
The request followed the recently returned $52.88 million in forfeited corruption proceeds linked to former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The letter, read in part: “We hope you and your incoming government address the legal impediments that have continued to allow corrupt Nigerian government officials to deposit and conceal their ill-gotten assets in the US and other locations subject to US jurisdiction.”
“Returning proceeds of corruption to Nigeria is a development imperative. By returning proceeds of corruption to Nigeria, the US would be contributing to the efforts to address the growing poverty in the country and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“The US has the obligations under the relevant provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption to trace, freeze and seize proceeds of corruption from Nigeria and located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction and to return the assets to the Nigerian people.”
“A whole chapter of the Convention is devoted to international cooperation in the recovery and return of stolen assets including from Nigeria (chapter V, comprising 9 articles).”
“SERAP is concerned that corruption remains a major obstacle to sustainable development, the rule of law and the effective enjoyment of socio-economic rights in Nigeria. Implementing the recommended measures would contribute to addressing these governance challenges.
“Corrupt practices have long been accepted as a fact of life and an inalienable part of the country’s ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] and the governmental power structures across several states.”
“Nigeria’s auditor-general office annually documents widespread and systemic corruption in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) including in the petroleum, education, health and water sectors, plunging millions of Nigerians further into poverty. The auditor-general office has declared trillions of naira as missing or diverted.”
“SERAP urges you to promptly share information with relevant Nigerian civil society organizations on stolen assets of Nigerian origin located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction, as required by Articles 46(4) and 56 of the UN Convention Against Corruption.”
“Imposing a temporary travel ban on former and current Nigerian public officials suspected to be responsible for keeping proceeds of corruption in the US or in locations subject to US jurisdiction would not violate due process and presumption of innocence principles, as long as the reasons for the sanctions are communicated to those that may be affected.”
“According to reports, the U.S. Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria recently announced an agreement to promptly repatriate approximately $52.88 million in forfeited corruption proceeds.”
“These funds were forfeited to the United States as part of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice. The forfeited assets had been illegally acquired using funds linked to money laundering and a conspiracy to bribe former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.”
“In 2007, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu alleged that Nigerian politicians stole over $400 billion. Former military dictator General Sani Abacha reportedly collected truck-loads of cash running into billions of naira from the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
“According to the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) estimates, illicit funds associated with bribes received by public officials from developing and transition countries alone are estimated at USD 20 billion to USD 40 billion per year – a figure equivalent to 20 to 40 percent of flows of official development assistance.”
“SERAP notes that Article 51 of the UN Convention against Corruption provides for the return of ‘corrupt’ assets to countries of origin as a fundamental principle. Article 43 provides likewise.”
“Similarly, under Articles 47(3)(a) and (b) states parties have an obligation to return forfeited or confiscated assets in cases of public corruption, as here, or when the requesting party reasonably establishes either prior ownership or damages to the states.”
“A resolution adopted by the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption in Panama in November 2013 reaffirms this obligation, by requiring state to make ‘every effort’ to return such proceeds. to the victim state.”
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has cautioned Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo against making comments capable of undermining former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, warning that such remarks could threaten the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Eze was reacting to recent remarks by Okonkwo, who reportedly suggested that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had no alternative but to accept Amaechi as his running mate.
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He described the statement as “unfortunate, insulting and counterproductive,” saying it could negatively affect public perception of both Atiku and Amaechi.
According to Eze, Atiku’s long political career demonstrates that he is fully capable of making independent decisions on critical political matters without being influenced or compelled.
“Anyone who has followed Atiku Abubakar’s political journey knows that he has a mind of his own and is fully capable of taking decisions on matters of this nature,” Eze said.
The ADC stalwart argued that portraying Amaechi as an imposed choice diminishes the former Rivers State governor’s political achievements and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
He highlighted Amaechi’s political record, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor of Rivers State, Minister of Transportation, and presidential aspirant, describing him as one of Nigeria’s most experienced political figures.
Eze also recalled that Amaechi emerged second to President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and later finished as runner-up to Atiku Abubakar in the ADC presidential primary.
According to him, Amaechi’s emergence as the party’s vice-presidential candidate should be seen as a strategic advantage rather than an imposition.
“Amaechi’s personality, political experience and national appeal add significant value to the ADC presidential ticket,” he stated.
The former publicity secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) further advised Okonkwo to improve his communication style by learning from individuals with proven expertise in political messaging.
Calling for unity within the opposition party, Eze urged ADC leaders, spokespersons and supporters to avoid comments capable of creating unnecessary controversy or weakening the party’s collective resolve ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Our focus should remain on building a united front. Internal disagreements should not distract us from our collective objective of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative,” he said.
He added: “As things stand, we have a common objective. We need unity of purpose and must avoid comments that could weaken our collective resolve. Responsible communication and party cohesion remain essential to the success of the ADC in the forthcoming elections.”
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has launched a fresh attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as a political strategy aimed at deceiving Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Adebayo argued that the 2023 presidential ticket was built on religious sentiment rather than competence, insisting that Nigerians are now more interested in electing leaders who can deliver justice, good governance and economic prosperity.
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According to him, the APC’s same-faith ticket has failed to meet the expectations of many Nigerians, including those who supported it because of the candidates’ religious affiliation.
“There is nothing like the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Even when the contraption was brought up four years ago and I was in Kano, I was asked the same question while meeting with the Ulamas.
“I told them that if you are hoping for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, you will be lucky to even have a single Muslim out of the two.”
Adebayo maintained that leadership in Islam is defined by justice and competence, not by a leader’s religious identity, describing the Tinubu-Shettima administration as a “zero-zero ticket.”
“It turned out now that it’s not a Muslim-Muslim ticket. From the point of view of Muslims in Nigeria, it is a zero-zero ticket because in Islam, what is expected of a leader in Islamic jurisprudence is not the religion of that leader but justice.”
The SDP flagbearer added that Islamic teachings encourage the appointment of only qualified and capable individuals to positions of responsibility.
“The reason why Muslims get involved in politics is to have a just society, and there are guidelines in Islamic jurisprudence regarding politics. In Islam, it is expected that if you are a good Muslim, you do not give public office or responsibility to anyone who is not fit for that.”
He further alleged that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was introduced to manipulate voters through religion instead of presenting credible leadership.
“The whole concept from the beginning was just to defraud the populace by using religious sentiment. What the North and all Nigerians are looking for is a righteous leader, no matter the person.”
Adebayo also criticised the current administration over the country’s socio-economic challenges, arguing that the religious composition of the presidency has not translated into justice or improved living conditions.
He referenced former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying even one of the prominent advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket has recently been seeking justice.
“So when you say you are looking for a Muslim-Muslim ticket and there is no justice anywhere, even one of the proponents, El-Rufai, who was celebrating it, he and his family are now crying for justice. That is the biggest irony you can have.”
He concluded that Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election are more concerned about competent leadership, fairness and better governance than the religious background of presidential candidates.
The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for a thorough investigation into an incident involving security personnel attached to the convoy of Governor Francis Nwifuru following the circulation of a viral video on social media.
The video purportedly shows a confrontation between members of the governor’s convoy and occupants of a civilian vehicle along the Centenary City–Chiboy Motors axis of the Afikpo-Abakaliki Road.
According to available information, the incident occurred after a Toyota Camry reportedly collided with a motorcycle rider attached to the governor’s convoy, leaving the rider injured. The ensuing confrontation allegedly resulted in damage to the civilian vehicle.
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Reacting to the development, the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, called on the Ebonyi State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
He urged security agencies to identify and interview those involved and determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
The party also called on the Ebonyi State Government to provide clarification on the incident and disclose the identity and conduct of the security personnel involved.
In addition, the PDP urged relevant authorities to review the operational procedures and rules of engagement for security personnel attached to official convoys to ensure the safety of other road users.
Onwe said the party believes the public deserves a full account of what transpired and urged eyewitnesses and other persons with relevant information to cooperate with investigators.
Responding to the controversy, the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, said “the viral video captured only part of the incident and did not present the complete sequence of events.”
He appealed to the public “to refrain from drawing conclusions until all the facts have been established.”
Oketa explained that official convoys, like ambulances, fire service vehicles and other emergency responders, are required to move swiftly in the interest of public safety and national security.
He noted that motorists are expected to comply with lawful traffic directives issued by police officers and convoy personnel to ensure the safe movement of official convoys and prevent accidents.
According to him, “Governor Francis Nwifuru remains committed to professionalism, respect for the rule of law and the protection of lives.”
He added that the circumstances surrounding the incident were being reviewed and urged road users “to remain patient, obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with emergency and security personnel in the interest of public safety.”
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