ANEEJ, African Centre Secure Commitment from Government and Other Stakeholders for the Illicit Finance Resilience Project
By:Femi Mustapha
The Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and the African Centre have launched the Illicit Finance Resilience Project, receiving strong commitments from government institutions, development partners, and civil society to collaborate on tackling illicit financial flows (IFFs) and strengthening asset recovery and management.
These commitments were made during the inception meeting of the project titled “Tackling Illicit Financial Flows through Asset Recovery and Management and Countering Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing, and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) in Nigeria.”
The meeting, held in Abuja, brought together senior officials from various agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigerian Police Force, alongside development partners such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as civil society organizations, the media, and the private sector.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Ali Bozi, Head of the Asset Recovery and Management Unit, pledged the Ministry’s full support:
“Illicit financial flows remain one of the most significant threats to sustainable development, governance, and national security. Together, we can ensure that recovered resources are not only returned but are invested in critical sectors that directly benefit the Nigerian people. I pledge my continued support to cooperate, coordinate, and back this project to achieve its purpose.”
Representing the UK Government, Anicetus Atakpu, speaking on behalf of Jehanzeb Khan, Illicit Finance Advisor at the FCDO Nigeria Office, reaffirmed the UK’s partnership:
“Asset recovery is a central pillar in these efforts. Confiscating and recovering the proceeds of crime are essential to leveraging sanctions against offenders and securing justice for victims. Evidence has shown that putting stolen assets towards public goods and services is the best way to ensure that anti-corruption efforts benefit ordinary citizens.”
Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, spoke for civil society and stressed the scale of the challenge:
“Illicit financial flows continue to drain Nigeria of much-needed resources for development. The African Union estimates that the continent loses about $150 billion annually, with Nigeria accounting for nearly 20 percent of that loss. Our project seeks to build partnerships across government and civil society to ensure that recovered assets are transparently managed and reinvested for the benefit of Nigerians.”
He reaffirmed that the project aims to establish partnerships across government and civil society to ensure that recovered assets are transparently managed and reinvested for the benefit of Nigerians.
Juliet Ibekaku Nwagu, Executive Director of the African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development, highlighted the project’s technical role in strengthening implementation:
“Through this project, we will provide technical support and training for investigators and prosecutors to ensure better alignment with the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act. This will help make asset recovery processes more effective and accountable.”
From the extractives sector, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of NEITI, emphasized the urgency of addressing systemic vulnerabilities:
“Illicit financial flows are not just abstract statistics. They represent stolen opportunities—lost revenues that could have built schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs. If we do not close the loopholes in oil, gas, and mining governance, asset recovery will remain a revolving door—recovering what is stolen today, only to lose more tomorrow.”
He stressed the necessity of the project, stating, “If we don’t close the loopholes in the oil, gas, and mining industries, asset recovery will remain a revolving door—recovery today only to lose it tomorrow.” He further affirmed NEITI’s commitment, saying, “We pledge our full cooperation in the implementation of this project. We will bring our capabilities and data to the table.”
Princess Aruoriwoh-Esmer Chifiero, the Anti-Corruption Coordinator for UNODC Nigeria, reiterated international support during her remarks on behalf of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC):
“The Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative will continue to support this project and will work to enhance international cooperation in asset recovery.”
