The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is currently working with civil advocates and law enforcement agencies to strengthen support and enforcement capacities in order to see more stolen wealth repatriated back to the country
The UN agency organized a day capacity workshop in Abuja as part of itsefforts to drive legislative reforms, strengthen institutions and harmonize stolen assets recovery protocols under the Proceeds of crime (Recovery and Management) Act.
The agency stressed the need for increased understanding of the proceeds of crime and recovery management act to boost Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.
In partnership with the World Bank’s supported Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, (STAR), the UNDC said it will sustain its support to Nigeria in terms of technical assistance capacity development, strategic policy dialogues and multi-stakeholder engagements.
Country Representative of the UNODC, Cheikh Touré, pointed that the UNDC’s long-term partnership with Nigeria has driven legislative reforms, strengthen institutions and harmonized assets recovery protocols to align with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, (UNCAC), obligations.
The partnership he adds, has promoted data driven policy formulation and empirical research to advance good governance and the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs).
Represented by the Programme Coordinator, Anti-Corruption of the UNODC, Princess Chifiero, Toure said “under the Stolen Assets Recovery, (STAR), Initiative with the World Bank Group, UNODC has enhanced Nigeria’s legislative, Investigative, judicial and enforcement capacities for recovering stolen assets abroad.
“Working closely with the Federal Ministry of Justice, this collaboration facilitated the implementation of the 2022 Proceeds of Crime, (Recovery Management), Act including the adoption of regulations and centralized data base for seized and confiscated assets tools which was officially launched in May 2025.”
