By Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
A coalition of Nigerian and United Kingdom civil society organizations has warned that recovering stolen assets is meaningless if citizens do not see tangible benefits.
They are calling for a renewed focus on restitution, transparent management, and public accountability following the UK court’s acquittal of former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The group made this call on Tuesday during a virtual media and civil society briefing that gathered more than 55 participants, including legal experts, journalists, academics, and anti-corruption advocates. AIT’s Dorcas Igonor moderated the session.
Present at the briefing were Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ; Suraj Olaruwanju, Chairman of HEDA Resource Center; Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC; Helen Taylor, Deputy Director of Spotlight on Corruption UK; and Zainab Saleem, Legal Fellow, among other stakeholders.
Opening the discussion, Rev. Ugolor said the UK verdict must be respected. Still, it should not end the conversation on Nigeria’s oil wealth, illicit financial flows, and what happens to assets once they are traced or seized.
“The briefing emphasized that asset recovery should not be treated as the end of the accountability process. Recovered assets must lead to restitution, transparent management, and tangible public benefit for Nigerians,” he stated.
Participants agreed that Nigeria cannot outsource accountability. While international cooperation is important because corruption crosses borders, domestic institutions must be strong enough to investigate, prosecute, and ensure proper management of recovered resources.
The coalition highlighted the legal distinction between criminal prosecution and civil asset recovery. They recognized that the UK court’s decision was based on specific evidence and allegations, and it does not automatically halt separate investigations or asset-recovery actions in Nigeria.
“Nigerian authorities may pursue legally sustainable matters not determined by the UK court, subject to due process and applicable safeguards,” the group said.
To make recovery meaningful, the CSOs listed urgent reforms. First, Nigeria must strengthen evidence gathering, preservation, and coordination among agencies handling complex cross-border cases.
Second, the Federal Government should fully implement the Proceeds of Crime Act. Third, the government must establish a publicly accessible national database of recovered and forfeited assets so that citizens can track what has been recovered and how it is being used.
The briefing also emphasized the role of the media. Journalists were urged to distinguish allegations from facts and to report judicial decisions accurately within their legal context. Responsible reporting, the coalition said, helps build public trust and pressure for transparency.
Regarding the use of recovered funds, participants were clear: seizure is not the finish line. Assets must be restituted for public use through transparent processes that improve schools, hospitals, roads, and social programs.
To advance this agenda, the coalition agreed on seven actions. They will engage the EFCC and other agencies to clarify the status and use of assets linked to the Diezani case, including those that have been seized, forfeited, or auctioned.
They will also advocate for the national assets database, support journalists investigating asset management, and provide regular legal updates on forfeiture proceedings.
Other steps include strengthening cooperation between Nigerian and international CSOs on cross-border investigations, maintaining engagement with the EFCC and the judiciary to ensure timely prosecutions, and monitoring the implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The group concluded that accountability must persist wherever the evidence leads.
“An acquittal in one criminal case should not end legitimate questions about the tracing, recovery, management, and public use of assets,” the coalition said. “Due process must be respected, but Nigerians deserve to see recovered wealth work for them.”
