The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has commended the repatriation of $52.88 million in recovered assets linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by the United States government.
It also lauded the collaboration between Nigeria and the U.S., describing it as a significant step in the global fight against corruption.
In a statement by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organization urged the Federal Government to ensure the funds are utilized transparently and directed toward tangible development projects that benefit the citizens.
“According to the Minister of Justice, these funds are earmarked for rural electrification through the World Bank. While this is commendable, we seek more clarity on the implementation plans, including the involvement of government agencies and how much will directly impact citizens,” Rafsanjani said.
He emphasized the need for greater transparency, particularly against the backdrop of Nigeria’s proposed 2025 budget, which allocates significant funds to non-essential items while millions of Nigerians face economic hardship.
CISLAC further called for strict adherence to the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022 to ensure openness in the handling of recovered assets. The organization highlighted that transparent and impactful use of these funds is essential to rebuild public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
“If these funds are not used transparently and for the benefit of Nigerians, suspicions of re-looting will inevitably arise. We must move past the era of mismanaging recovered assets,” Rafsanjani warned.
The organization also credited this recovery as a positive outcome of its global advocacy efforts and those of its partners. It pledged continued support for initiatives that promote justice, accountability, and socio-economic development.
CISLAC urged the Federal Government to build on this achievement by expediting other pending asset recovery cases and ensuring that all recovered proceeds are channeled toward improving the lives of Nigerians.
This milestone, according to CISLAC, should serve as a foundation for sustained transparency and accountability in asset recovery and management.
