ANEEJ joins global experts in Addis Ababa to push accountable asset return

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has joined global experts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to advance accountable asset return and link recovered assets to sustainable development.

According to a statement released in Kaduna on Monday, ANEEJ is participating in the 5th International Expert Meeting on Asset Return and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which opened at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.

Running from October 6 to 8, 2026, the three-day meeting is co-hosted under the Addis Process by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Justice, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It brings together judges, prosecutors, investigators, financial intelligence experts, civil society representatives, and international organizations.

The opening session emphasized international cooperation, transparent utilization of returned assets, and meaningful civil society participation to ensure recovered resources directly benefit citizens.

H.E. Cherinet Hordofa, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Justice, outlined Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening asset recovery through its Asset Recovery Proclamation No. 1364/2025.

He called for stronger institutions, improved information sharing, faster responses to mutual legal assistance requests, and practical solutions connecting returned assets with sustainable development and the rule of law.

Similarly, Laure-Hélène Lassus-Martin, Head of Switzerland’s Asset Recovery Section, identified the three core objectives of responsible restitution as deterring corruption, restoring resources to deprived nations, and delivering justice to affected populations.

Drawing on cases from Uzbekistan and Moldova, she highlighted third-party involvement, dedicated accounts, independent monitoring, and the essential role of civil society despite shrinking civic space.

Also speaking, Shervin Majlessi, UNODC Chief of Asset Recovery, emphasized the growing integration of asset return into the international development agenda, noting that technical expertise, political will, and flexible cooperation are required to translate recovered assets into progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 16.4.

Participants will examine a draft template agreement for asset return in support of sustainable development, review draft guidelines for international organizations, and engage in bilateral and multilateral case discussions.

ANEEJ is represented by its Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, who will co-present with Selimat Lawal of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice during Session II on International Cooperation for Asset Return, Sustainable Development, and the Involvement of Civil Society.

Ugolor’s presentation will share practical lessons from applying ANEEJ’s MANTRA model to the Bayelsa and Galactica restitution cases, addressing third-party monitoring procurement, implementation challenges, and strategies for strengthening independent oversight at the subnational level.