The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has quietly disbanded the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, an elite team responsible for tracing and recovering assets looted by Nigeria’s former military ruler, Sani Abacha, as well as funds linked to other international corruption cases.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the decision was authorized by former President Donald Trump and executed by newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this week.
The move comes as the Trump administration winds down several government programs in its final months.
The now-disbanded team had played a critical role in tracing and prosecuting cases tied to billions of dollars in stolen assets.
Among its ongoing efforts was the litigation involving funds linked to Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning under President Bola Tinubu.
The dismantling of the unit raises concerns over the future of ongoing investigations and the potential discovery of additional Abacha-linked assets, which authorities believe remain hidden.
Since its establishment in 2010, the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative had worked alongside international partners to track illicit wealth and return stolen funds to affected nations.
Efforts to obtain comments from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
It also remains unclear how the DOJ will handle existing cases or whether cooperation will continue in asset recovery efforts across the UK and other jurisdictions.
The Trump administration has justified the move by shifting its focus toward combating narcotics and human trafficking networks instead.
However, critics argue that shutting down the unit could hinder global efforts to tackle high-level corruption.
