DAKAR, Senegal — On Friday, the U.S. government announced its decision to return $52.88 million in assets seized during a corruption investigation related to former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and her associates. This confirmation arose from a coordinated statement issued by Nigeria’s justice minister along with U.S. officials.

This asset repatriation represents a significant milestone, being the first of its kind associated with Alison-Madueke, who held the position of Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 until 2015. During her tenure, she became a notable figure in Nigerian politics under former President Goodluck Jonathan and notably served as the first female president of OPEC, the oil-exporting countries’ organization.

The assets that were seized included a luxury superyacht and high-value properties located in both New York and California. These properties were confiscated in 2023 as a result of ongoing legal proceedings against Alison-Madueke.

Of the total amount being returned, $50 million is earmarked for rural electrification initiatives in Nigeria, while the remaining $2.88 million is planned as a grant to the country’s International Institute for Justice. This funding aims to bolster efforts in promoting the rule of law and counterterrorism measures.

During her time as minister, Alison-Madueke claimed she aimed to revamp Nigeria’s oil sector; however, she has faced serious allegations of misappropriating a substantial amount of public funds alongside her collaborators. Nigerian authorities assert that many assets linked to these corrupt practices are held in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

While Alison-Madueke has repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency has managed to obtain court orders to confiscate properties, luxury vehicles, and jewelry within Nigeria, which they argue are linked to corruption involving the former minister and her associates.