ANEEJ hails UK High Court Ruling on Abigail Katung’s Money Laundering Case
By :Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), an anti-corruption watchdog, has strongly commended the ruling of the United Kingdom’s High Court of Justice, which ordered the forfeiture of a £1 million luxury property acquired by Mrs. Abigail Katung, the current Lord Mayor of Leeds and the wife of Nigerian Senator Sunday Marshall Katung.
In a statement issued to the press today in Kaduna, ANEEJ Executive Director Rev. David Ugolor, who is also a former Co-chair of the UNCAC Coalition, described the decision as a “critical win for global anti-corruption efforts.” He emphasized that no politically exposed person (PEP) should be shielded from accountability, regardless of how distant they may seem from the original offence.
“This ruling strengthens international resolve against illicit financial flows involving politically exposed persons and affirms the UK’s commitment to the global anti-corruption framework,” Rev. Ugolor stated.
The case is particularly significant given Senator Katung’s position as a serving Nigerian lawmaker, raising important concerns about the misuse of public trust and the exploitation of inadequate financial oversight for personal gain.
While praising the court’s ruling, Ugolor also called on the UK Government and its agencies to collaborate with Nigerian authorities to ensure the transparent return of the recovered funds according to Chapter V of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which emphasizes returning assets to their country of origin as a fundamental principle.
“We urge that the repatriated funds be specifically allocated for social protection programs benefiting Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable communities, in line with the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles of transparency, accountability, and public participation,” Ugolor emphasized.
Furthermore, this case highlights the critical importance of adhering to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards on beneficial ownership transparency and due diligence, as well as the necessity for effective international cooperation to trace, freeze, and return illicitly acquired assets.
“ANEEJ remains committed to ensuring that every kobo recovered from corrupt acts is returned to the people and used to address development needs, rather than being recycled into further elite capture,” Rev. Ugolor added.
As part of its broader advocacy through the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement initiative and other anti-corruption platforms in Nigeria, ANEEJ will continue to monitor asset recovery efforts, advocate for legislative reforms in Nigeria, and collaborate with civil society partners globally to ensure that stolen assets are returned and used for public benefit.
It is noteworthy that the UK High Court of Justice at the King’s Bench Division granted a forfeiture order on the property occupied by Lord Mayor Abigail Katung.
Delivered on June 6, 2025, by Justice Jay of the King’s Bench Division, the ruling determined that the property, originally owned by a convicted money launderer, was classified as “recoverable property” under the UK’s Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). The court found that the £400,000 deposit paid by Mrs. Katung was tainted by irregular foreign exchange transactions, weak documentation, and an attempt to circumvent Nigerian financial laws.
While the court did not find Mrs. Katung guilty of knowingly associating with criminal actors, it confirmed that the funds used for the property purchase were unlawfully transferred and are now subject to forfeiture.
The court ordered the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to take possession of and recover the property, which was originally owned by a wealthy businessman, Mansoor Hussain. Investigators have previously accused him of being a money launderer for major crime lords in northern England. Mrs. Katung, the wife of Senator Sunday Katung, currently occupies the property with her two children.
