The United Kingdom and the money laundering activities of Nigeria Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs): A challenge of regulation or a symbiotic relationship

Bob-Osamor, Chinelo 2025. The United Kingdom and the money laundering activities of Nigeria Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs): A challenge of regulation or a symbiotic relationship. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Money laundering poses a significant threat to the global, regional and national economies. In particular, the international community has been very concerned about money laundering by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). These prominent public office holders present a higher risk of money laundering because their influential positions can be abused for the purpose of laundering the proceeds of crime generated from bribery and corruption. Substantial corruption proceeds by Nigeria PEPs have been laundered in the United Kingdom (UK). Despite the extensive media attention on Sani Abacha’s large scale money laundering in the UK, this researcher is unaware of any detailed study on Nigeria PEPs money laundering in the UK. Therefore, the thesis investigates why money laundering by Nigeria PEPs has continued in the UK despite its robust anti-money laundering (AML) framework and successive commitments by the Nigerian government to tackle corruption and money laundering of its PEPs. Additionally, the thesis inquired if this unrestrained money laundering is a function of mere compliance failure or if it signifies a deeper symbiotic relationship between these corrupt PEPs and the UK financial system. The thesis found that there is indeed a symbiotic relationship between Nigeria PEPs and the UK financial system, a mutually beneficial relationship that has undermined both jurisdictions commitment to combat the laundering of criminal proceeds from Nigeria. This symbiosis is enabled by the near collapse of Nigeria AML framework and the lacklustre implementation of AML measures by the UK. Consequently, the thesis concluded that while the UK needs to hold its banks accountable for enabling Nigeria PEPs money laundering, Nigeria should tackle the inherent systemic challenges that have rendered its framework impracticable

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Cardiff Law & Politics
Subjects:	K Law > K Law (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Money Laundering; Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs); Anti-Money Laundering (AML); Illicit Financial Flows; Financial Crime; UK–Nigeria AML Regulations; Comparative Legal Analysis; Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 February 2026
Date of Acceptance:	26 February 2026
Last Modified:	26 Feb 2026 12:01
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/185322

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