The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to identify and recover proceeds of corruption traced to Nigerian officials and their associates, with a call to ensure the funds are returned to Nigeria transparently.
In a letter signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged Trump to direct the U.S. Department of Justice to begin civil asset forfeiture proceedings against corrupt proceeds linked to former and current Nigerian officials.
SERAP also called for the publication of the names of Nigerian officials suspected of laundering funds in U.S. banks and recommended temporary travel bans on these individuals.
The letter referenced recently returned corruption proceeds, including $52.88 million linked to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. SERAP emphasized that this amount is a small fraction of the estimated $500 billion reportedly stolen from Nigeria and stashed in the U.S. or under its jurisdiction.
“Returning stolen assets is a development imperative,” the letter stated, adding that such actions would help reduce poverty and contribute to achieving Nigeria’s Sustainable Development Goals.
SERAP also highlighted the broader impact of corruption, citing reports from Nigeria’s Auditor-General’s office documenting trillions of naira in funds declared missing or diverted from ministries, departments, and agencies, including in key sectors like petroleum, education, and health.
SERAP reminded the U.S. of its obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption, to which both the U.S. and Nigeria are parties. The organization urged Trump’s administration to trace, freeze, and return stolen assets while addressing legal loopholes that allow Nigerian officials to conceal illicit funds in the U.S.
The group also called for increased collaboration between the U.S. and Nigerian civil society organizations to track and recover stolen assets. SERAP stressed the importance of imposing sanctions on corrupt officials as a deterrent, without violating principles of due process.
The letter referenced past allegations, including claims by former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu that Nigerian politicians stole over $400 billion. It also cited a recent agreement between the U.S. and Nigeria to repatriate stolen funds as part of the U.S. Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.
