The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 allegedly recovered from Dr. Nura Ali, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto State, during the 2023 general elections.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Wednesday following an application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Counsel to the commission, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, informed the court that the ICPC had complied with the earlier interim forfeiture order, including publishing a notice inviting interested persons to claim ownership of the funds.
He told the court that no one had appeared to contest ownership since the publication. Consequently, he urged the court to issue a final forfeiture order in favour of the Federal Government.
After reviewing the application and supporting documents, Justice Nwite held that the request was well-founded.
“I have listened to the counsel and reviewed the evidence before the court. I am satisfied that the application is meritorious. Consequently, it is hereby granted,” the judge ruled.
Earlier, on December 30, 2024, the same court had granted an interim order for the temporary forfeiture of the funds 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, was signed by Mr. Usman Dauda, Director of Legal at the DSS, and Akponimisingha, Assistant Chief Legal Officer at the ICPC.
According to the court filings, the money was allegedly recovered during a search operation conducted by DSS operatives at Dr. Ali’s residence in Kano. The ICPC claimed the sum represented bribe payments received by the former REC during his tenure in Sokoto State.
The agencies argued that the money could not have been part of Dr. Ali’s legitimate earnings, as INEC does not pay its staff in foreign currency. They also stated that the forfeiture request was meant to safeguard the funds and allow any rightful claimant to provide proof of legitimate ownership.
An affidavit submitted by an ICPC litigation officer, Iliya Markus, stated that the DSS had received intelligence linking Dr. Ali to alleged bribery involving political figures during the elections. Markus added that Ali had written to the DSS requesting the release of the seized funds, claiming they were gifts from certain politicians.
Following the interim order, the court directed the ICPC and DSS to deposit the recovered funds in an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and publish a public notice calling for claims. With no response received within the stipulated time, the court has now ruled that the $49,700 be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The matter, which had previously been adjourned for compliance and further hearings, has now been concluded with the final forfeiture order.
