Group launches publication on GFAR principles of Asset Return, Management in Nigeria
By: Femi Mustapha
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has launched a publication on implementation of Key Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) Principles in Asset Return and Management in Nigeria.
Speaking during the launching today, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, said the publication is the outcome of a six-month research commissioned in October 2024, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
He said his organization is excited to contribute to knowledge through the publication of the policy brief, which will influence advocacy priority for stakeholders working on illicit financial flow globally.
Speaking on the publication the Environment and Economic activist said 140million Nigerians or 65% of its population are multidimensionally poor
and high unemployment rate-World Bank statistics show that from the 122 million.
He added that Nigerians in the working age bracket only 31 million were employed because of Widespread corruption, saying Petty and Grand Corruption. Ranks the country 140th out of 180.
He disclosed that GFAR was established as an outcome of the London Anti-corruption Summit held in 2016 and hosted by the UK government and the communiqué from the event pointed to the provision of Article 57 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) that called for the proceeds of corruption to be identified, seized, confiscated and returned.
It presupposes that once corrupt assets have been identified and legally confiscated.
“It was at the Global Forum on Asset Recovery that the agreement for the repatriation of $322.5 million recovered Abacha loot was signed.
“Since then, Nigeria has recovered stolen assets from various foreign jurisdictions, including the $311.8 million Abacha loot from the Bailiwick of Jersey in 2020, the 5.5 million Euro Abacha loot recovered from Northern Island in 2020, the $954,807.40 Alamieyesiegha loot recovered from the United States of America in 2023, and many others.
“All these events justified the necessity for ANEEJ to undertake comprehensive research to assess the implementation of Key GFAR Principles in Asset Return and Management in Nigeria, covering the past five years.
“The research particularly examined the application of the GFAR Principles relating to transparency and accountability, inclusion of non-government stakeholders, return of assets to beneficiaries, and preclusion of benefit to offenders. It also made recommendations for improving asset recovery and management framework in Nigeria.”
Rev Ugolor explained the the publication hinges on 10 Principles which include: Principles 1: Partnership between transferring and receiving country, Principles 2: Mutual interest, Principles 3:Early dialogue, principles 4: Transparency and Accountability, Principles 5: Beneficiaries, Principles 6: Strengthening Corruption and Development, Principles 7: Case-specific Treatment, Principles 8: Considering using an Agreement under UNCAC Articles, Principles 9: Preclusion of benefits to offenders, Principles 10 Inclusion of Non-Government Stakeholders.
In his remarks, The Governance and Stability Lead of the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in Nigeria, Mr. William Robinson, opined that asset recovery is central to national and global efforts to strengthen anti-corruption and effective recovery and return of the proceeds of crime are essential to securing justice.
According to him putting stolen assets towards the delivery of public goods and services is the best way of ensuring anti-corruption efforts deliver for ordinary citizens.
Mr. Robinson added The UK and Nigeria have both made great strides in this area.
This, according to him, includes their respective Proceeds of Crime legislations and the active asset recovery efforts pursued by the law enforcement agencies.
The FCDO Country Director stressed that both countries recognize the importance of international collaboration on asset recovery and are both signatories to the GFAR.
The relationship, he explained, has led to the establishment of key global standards and cooperation instruments on asset recovery between the two countries.
“These measures lay important groundwork, but further efforts are needed to ensure asset recovery is efficient, accountable and well-coordinated.
“Asset recovery and return processes from financial centers, like the UK, have not progressed with the speed and transparency initially expected. Complex legal disputes and resourcing gaps in law enforcement agencies have contributed to this.
” This can often leave citizens and recipient countries lacking clarity on asset recovery processes.
“I understand our counterparts in Nigeria face similar challenges in their asset recovery regimes and in ensuring coherence and coordination between agencies.
“Through this project, we hope to make a small contribution to begin to address these issues by assessing how principles mutually agreed to under GFAR are being implemented in practice.
” Through this, we hope to generate stronger insights on the management of returned assets and measures to improve accountability in the asset recovery process.
“Furthermore, we hope this engagement will help reignite public engagement on this important issue at both national and international levels.”
Similarly, the Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Mrs. Jane Onwumere, said her organization is the secretariat of the IATT and also the Secretariat of the UNCAC Processes.
” As such, we were involved in the GFAR process from inception. It is my pleasure, therefore, to be here as we come together for the official launch of the policy brief.
Represented by Bosede Oguntuberu the Team lead of TUGAR, said the effort to return these assets is a commitment to justice, equity, and sustainable development by the Government of Nigeria.
” Through collaborative efforts and dedicated actions between state and non-state actors, we are making significant strides in demonstrating our collective commitment to the rule of law, good governance, and the responsible use of public resources.” She said
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ( NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, observed that the GFAR Principles, developed to guide countries in the transparent recovery and return of stolen assets, are rooted in the values of accountability, inclusiveness, participation, and the rule of law.
These principles, according to him, emphasize that returned assets must be used in ways that benefit the citizens from whom they were stolen and that the process must be transparent, accountable, and subject to public oversight.
The NEITI Executive Secretary observed that Nigeria, as a prominent case study in international asset recovery efforts, has made some progress in recent years through high-profile recoveries and their deployment to legacy infrastructure projects such as the Abuja-Kano and Lagos-Ibadan expressways, as well as the Second Niger Bridge.
“. However, this progress must be continuously reviewed, interrogated, and strengthened to build public trust and ensure that these processes are not only effective but also perceived to be fair and accountable by our citizens.
“This is where the work of civil society becomes invaluable. By initiating research, providing evidence-based recommendations, and convening diverse stakeholders, organizations like ANEEJ are playing a vital role in fostering transparency, inclusion, and reform in governance.
“This policy brief provides an opportunity to reflect on what has been done well, identify gaps, and chart a course for improved implementation of the GFAR Principles in Nigeria’s asset recovery architecture.
“At NEITI, our mandate to promote transparency and accountability in the extractive sector aligns strongly with the objectives of asset recovery and the responsible management of public resources.
“We believe that transparency is not a destination, but a continuous journey that requires commitment, collaboration, and innovation.” He concluded
