The Federal High Court in 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) for Sokoto State, to the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Wednesday after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) applied for the final forfeiture of the funds.
Osuobeni Akponimisingha, ICPC counsel, told the court that the agency had complied with a previous interim forfeiture order and had published a notice inviting anyone with an interest in the money to show cause why it should not be permanently forfeited.
He said no one came forward to claim the funds and requested a final order transferring the money to the Federal Government.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite agreed with the ICPC’s submission and granted the request.
The court had earlier, on December 30, 2024, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the funds following an ex parte motion filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, listed the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the applicant and Dr. Ali as the respondent.
The ICPC and DSS said the $49,700 was recovered during a search of Ali’s residence in Kano and was suspected to be proceeds of bribery linked to his tenure as INEC REC for Sokoto during the 2023 general elections.
They added that INEC officials are not paid in foreign currency, indicating the funds were not from legitimate sources.
Supporting documents included a search warrant, Ali’s statement to the DSS, and letters he wrote requesting the release of the seized money.
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The agencies also said Ali admitted receiving $150,000 from former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Aliyu Wamakko.
The ICPC told the court that the funds were deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and that a public notice of the seizure had been issued. Since no one claimed ownership, the agency requested a permanent forfeiture.
Justice Nwite granted the request, ruling that the Federal Government had shown the funds were not lawfully acquired.
