Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 recovered from Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Sokoto State, during the 2023 general elections.
The order followed a motion filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, seeking to permanently forfeit the funds to the Federal Government.
While moving the application, ICPC Counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, informed the court that the Commission had complied with an earlier directive on the temporary forfeiture of the money.
He explained that a public notice was issued inviting any interested party to appear and show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited, but no claimant came forward.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said the application was well-founded and granted the request.
“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel to the applicant and I have also gone through the affidavit evidence. I am of the view that the application is meritorious. Consequently, the application is granted,” the judge ruled.
The court had earlier, on December 30, 2024, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the money after the ICPC and the Department of State Services, DSS, filed an ex parte motion. The motion sought an interim order to seize the funds recovered from Ali’s residence during a DSS search operation and to allow for investigation.
The agencies were directed to deposit the seized amount in an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and publish a notice inviting any interested person to contest the forfeiture.
In the supporting affidavit, deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, it was stated that the money was found during a joint search by ICPC and DSS operatives at Ali’s residence in Kano. Markus noted that Ali, in his statement, admitted to receiving $150,000 from former Sokoto State governors Aminu Tambuwal and Aliyu Wamakko, claiming the sum was a personal gift.
The affidavit further stated that the funds were not declared to any law enforcement agency, contrary to legal requirements.
After the initial interim forfeiture order, the court adjourned the case to January 30, 2025, for a report on compliance with the publication directive and to March 31, 2025, for hearing.
With no opposition or claim received within the stipulated period, Justice Nwite has now ordered that the $49,700 be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
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