By Peter Omopo
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 recovered from the residence of a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto State, Dr. Nura Ali, to the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Wednesday following a motion filed by counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Osuobeni Akponimisingha, who urged the court to make the forfeiture final.
Akponimisingha informed the court that the ICPC had fully complied with an earlier order of interim forfeiture and had published notices inviting any interested parties to appear and show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited.
He added that since the publication, no objections or claims had been received.
“We, therefore, seek an order permanently forfeiting the sum of $49,700 to the Federal Government, in view of compliance with the interim order and the absence of any opposition,” Akponimisingha told the court.
After reviewing the application, Justice Nwite ruled in favour of the ICPC, saying the request had merit.
“I have listened to the submission of learned counsel for the applicant and carefully examined the supporting affidavit. I am satisfied that the application is meritorious. Consequently, it is hereby granted,” the judge declared.
The interim forfeiture order had earlier been granted on December 30, 2024, following an ex parte motion jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, sought the temporary forfeiture of the recovered sum pending the conclusion of investigations.
According to the affidavit supporting the application, deposed to by ICPC litigation officer, Mr. Iliya Markus, DSS operatives discovered the cash during a search of Dr. Ali’s residence in Kano. Intelligence reports had alleged that the former REC received bribes from political stakeholders during his tenure in Sokoto State.
Markus stated that Dr. Ali, in his statement to investigators, claimed the $49,700 was a gift from former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Senator Aliyu Wamakko.
However, the ICPC maintained that INEC does not pay its staff in foreign currency and that the funds were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
Following the interim order, the court had directed that a notice of forfeiture be published in a national newspaper, inviting anyone with an interest in the money to come forward.
With no objections filed within the stipulated time, the court granted the ICPC’s request, making the forfeiture of the $49,700 to the Federal Government final.
