07 June 2011
Jersey’s Royal Court has today (Tuesday 7 June 2011) finalised the confiscation proceedings following the conviction and sentencing of Raj Arjandas Bhojwani. Mr Bhojwani was sentenced to six years imprisonment in June 2010 following his conviction for 3 offences of money laundering.
The Royal Court made a Confiscation Order in the sum of just over £26.5 million. Mr Bhojwani was also ordered to pay a substantial contribution towards the costs of the prosecution.
The outcome of today’s case represents the last chapter in a long and ultimately successful investigation into serious money laundering in Jersey performed by Mr Bhojwani. He was found guilty after a lengthy trial.
A subsequent appeal by Mr Bhojwani against his conviction was unsuccessful. The case arose out of an investigation into the activities of General Sani Abacha, the former President of Nigeria.
It is now anticipated that discussions will take place with the government of Nigeria regarding the repatriation of some of the confiscated funds which are held in Jersey. Approximately US$170 million connected with the Abacha investigations has already been returned by Jersey to the Nigerian authorities as part of previous asset sharing agreements.
HM Attorney General, Timothy Le Cocq, QC, paid tribute to the team of lawyers and police officers who worked hard and diligently for a number of years to bring this case to a successful outcome. He said “This is not the first time the Attorney General has brought a successful prosecution for money laundering and we hope that it will send out a clear message that Jersey will deal very seriously with such offences.”
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