Bribery: Court orders forfeiture of $49,700 recovered from ex-INEC commissioner

Bribery: Court orders forfeiture of $49,700 recovered from ex-INEC commissioner

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 allegedly recovered from a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Sokoto State, Dr. Nura Ali.

The funds, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, were said to have been offered as a bribe to Dr. Ali during his tenure as REC for the 2023 general elections. Security operatives recovered the foreign currency following a search of his residence.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the forfeiture order on Wednesday after an application was filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told the court that the commission had complied with an earlier interim order by publishing a notice inviting any interested party to show cause why the funds should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.

READ ALSO:

• FG releases N2.3bn to clear salary, promotion arrears of varsity lecturers
• Man City beat Swansea to reach Carabao Cup quarters
• South West leaders endorse Tinubu’s re-election bid, laud economic reforms

He said no claims were made within the stipulated period.

“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,” Justice Nwite ruled.

The ICPC, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order on December 30, 2024, allowing the Federal Government to retain the funds.

The motion, filed ex parte, sought temporary forfeiture of the money on the grounds that it was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity. The court also granted permission for the funds to be deposited in an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Dr. Ali was listed as the sole respondent in the matter.