(L-R): Leeds’ Mayor, Abigail Katung and husband, Sen. Sunday Katung
By Aisha Abubakar
Anti-corruption watchdog, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has lauded the ruling of the United Kingdom’s High Court, which ordered the forfeiture of a £1 million luxury property acquired by Mrs. Abigail Katung, the current Lord Mayor of Leeds and wife of Nigerian Sen. Sunday Katung.
Rev. David Ugolor, the group’s Executive Director, in a statement, described the decision as a “critical win for global anti-corruption efforts”.
He said that the ruling was a reminder that no politically exposed person (PEP) should be shielded from accountability, no matter how far removed 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,” he said.
According to him, given Katung’s status as a serving Nigerian lawmaker, the matter raises important concerns about the misuse of public trust and the exploitation of weak financial oversight for personal enrichment.
Ugolor also called on the UK Government and its relevant agencies to work with Nigerian authorities to return the recovered funds transparently.
He said that this was in accordance with Chapter V of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which emphasises the return of assets to the country of origin as a fundamental principle.
“We also urge that the repatriated funds be used specifically for social protection programs that benefit Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable communities.
“This is in line with the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles of transparency, accountability, and public participation in the use of returned assets,” he said.
He further said that the case highlighted the critical importance of adherence to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.
He explained that FATF standards stipulate beneficial ownership transparency, due diligence, and the need for effective international cooperation to trace, freeze, and return illicitly acquired assets.
“ANEEJ remains committed to ensuring that every kobo recovered from corrupt acts finds its way back to the people and is used to address development needs, not recycled into further elite capture.
“As part of its broader advocacy under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement and other anti-corruption platforms in Nigeria, ANEEJ will continue to monitor asset recovery efforts.
“ANEEJ will also push for legislative reforms in Nigeria, and work with civil society partners globally to ensure stolen assets are returned and used for the public good.
It would be recalled that on June 6, Justice Jay of the King’s Bench Division, in a judgment ordered that the property, originally owned by a convicted money launderer, was “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 Nigeria’s financial laws.
While Mrs Katung was not found to have knowingly engaged with criminal actors, the judgment confirmed that the funds used for the purchase were unlawfully transferred and are now subject to forfeiture.
