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Court orders forfeiture of $49,700 linked to former INEC official

Published

2 years ago

December 31, 2024

How Nigerians Can Get Federal High Court Affidavit Online Without Visiting Court

Court orders forfeiture of $49,700 linked to former INEC official

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the temporary forfeiture of the sum of 49, 700. 00 US dollars allegedly recovered from Dr Nura Ali, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for Sokoto State in the 2023 general elections.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), moved an ex-parte motion to the effect.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) was the applicant, Ali was the sole respondent in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024

The motion, dated Dec. 20 and filed Dec. 24, was jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Service (DSS).

Mr Usman Dauda, the Director of Legal, signed the application on DSS’ behalf, Akponimisingha, Assistant Chief Legal Officer in ICPC, was part of the legal team that drafted the process.

The motion sought an order of the court temporarily forfeiting the sum of $49,700.00 (forty-nine thousand, seven hundred dollars), “recovered from one Dr. Nura Ali during a search operation by the Federal Government of Nigeria being property suspected to be proceed of an unlawful activity.”

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It also sought an order directing the applicant i.e., the FRN, through the ICPC and the DSS to jointly conduct a thorough preliminary investigation into the alleged unlawful activities of Ali, in respect of the moveable property sought to be forfeited and make a report to the court within 90 days.

It sought an order directing the applicant i.e., FRN, through the ICPC and the DSS to deposit the 49,700.00 dollars in an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN.

The application equally sought an order directing the applicant to publish a notice in any national newspaper calling for persons whether, human, juristic or artificial, having Interest in the money to show cause why it should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Giving nine grounds why the application should be granted, the applicant said the victim of the alleged crime was the Federal Government of Nigeria and innocent taxpayers which include judges of courts across the country.

It said the money was recovered during a search operation by operatives of the DSS at the residence of Ali.

“The alleged moveable property of $49,700.00 was bribe money received by Dr Nura Ali when he was the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Sokoto State.

“The alleged moveable property is not the legitimate earning of Dr Ali as Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner. S

“The alleged moveable property is suspected to be proceed of crime,” it said.

The applicant argued that INEC does not pay its staff members with United States Dollar as salaries or allowances.

It said the essence of the application was not to compulsorily acquire the alleged moveable property from the alleged owner, but to preserve the property from dissipation.

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It said if the court grants the reliefs sought, interested persons including the alleged owner will be given opportunity to offer an explanation as to the legitimacy of the alleged property.

“Where cogent and verifiable explanation exists as to how the property was acquired, devoid of crime, the alleged owner or any other person having proprietary interest in the property will be allowed unrestricted possession of the property.

“This application is not in conflict with the provisions of Sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which guarantee the rights of citizens of Nigeria to acquire and own immoveable and moveable properties in any part of Nigeria,” it said.

When the matter was called, Akponimisingha, who appeared for the FRN, told the court that the motion ex-parte prayed the court for four orders.

The lawyer said four exhibits were attached to the motion, including Exhibit DSS 1 to Exhibit DSS 4.

He urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.

He said a search was conducted in Ali’s residence in Kano and the sum of 49, 700, 000 US dollars was retrieved from the building.

He told the court that Ali allegedly said that the sum of $150, 000 US dollars was given to him by the former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, and Sen. Aliyu Wamakko.

The ICPC lawyer, who alleged that Ali made this disclosure in his extra-judicial statement to the DSS, said the former REC also wrote a letter to the security outfit in the bid to reclaim the money.

He insisted that INEC does not pay his workers or RECs in dollars.

Also in the affidavit in support of the motion ex-parte deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with ICPC, he said that Akponimisingha informed him that he read through the case file and comprehended facts forming the allegations leading to the execution of e search warrant by operatives of the DSS at Ali’s residence.

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Markus said the DSS received an intelligence report on Dr Ali on allegations of bribery received from stakeholders, i.e politicians in the course of his official duties as INEC REC in charge of Sokoto State.

He said the intelligence report was processed and residence of Ali in Kano was searched pursuant to a search warrant executed jointly by operatives of the ICPC and DSS.

“A copy of the search warrant is hereby attached and marked as exhibit DSS 1,” he said.

The officer said in the course of the execution of the search warrant, the sum of $47,000.00 was recovered from the house.

According to him, Dr Ali also made statement(s) with respect to the search on his residence and the subsequent recovery of the alleged $49,700.00.

“A copy of the said extra-judicial statement is hereby attached and marked as exhibit DSS 2,” he said.

He said invitation letters had been written to invite persons he claimed gifted him the alleged $49,700.00.

“I also know as a fact that Dr Nura Ali did not report the gift of the alleged $49,700.00 to any law enforcement agency as required by extant laws of the land.

“Dr Ali had in the past written letters to the State Security Services requesting for release of the alleged $49,700.00 bribe money to him.

“Copies of the said letters are hereby attached and marked as exhibits DSS 3 & 4 respectively,” he said.

Markus said the investigation was yet to be concluded, hence, the need for the 90 days’ application.

Justice Nwite, who said that the application was meritorious, granted the prayers.

The judge adjourned the matter until Jan. 30, for report of compliance on the publication in the media and adjourned until March 31 for hearing of the matter.

Court orders forfeiture of $49,700 linked to former INEC official

(NAN)

Related Topics:court Featured forfeiture INEC official

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EFCC Wins ₦132m Money Laundering Case as Court Orders Forfeiture of Lagos Properties

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October 10, 2026

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Lagos-based businessman Onatayo Pelumi

EFCC Wins ₦132m Money Laundering Case as Court Orders Forfeiture of Lagos Properties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Lagos-based businessman Onatayo Pelumi over alleged money laundering involving approximately ₦132 million, with the Federal High Court in Lagos ordering the forfeiture of two properties and ₦8 million to the Federal Government.

Justice Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, convicted Pelumi on five counts relating to the retention of proceeds of unlawful activities in bank accounts maintained with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and Zenith Bank.

According to the EFCC, the charges covered various sums allegedly retained in the accounts between January 2023 and June 2026, despite the defendant’s knowledge that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The commission did not provide further details about the specific unlawful activities from which the money was allegedly derived.

In his judgment, Justice Osiagor sentenced Pelumi to three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine, on the first count.

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For each of the remaining four counts, the court imposed five years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine per count.

However, the judge directed that all the prison terms run concurrently, meaning they are served at the same time rather than consecutively.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of two half-plots of land in Lagos and ₦8 million held in Pelumi’s Zenith Bank account to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The properties covered by the forfeiture order are a half-plot of land at No. 23 Michael Ayorinde Street, Abule-Egba, and another half-plot at No. 1 Yisa Street, Meiran, both in Lagos State.

In addition to the prison sentences and forfeiture orders, Pelumi was directed to undertake seven days of community service.

The conviction followed prosecution by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 as part of its efforts to investigate and prosecute financial crimes involving the retention of funds linked to unlawful activities.

The case also highlights the commission’s use of asset-forfeiture proceedings to recover money and property connected to financial crime cases.

The EFCC did not disclose additional details about the source of the funds beyond the allegations contained in the five-count charge.

EFCC Wins ₦132m Money Laundering Case as Court Orders Forfeiture of Lagos Properties

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Hardship: ACF Gives Tinubu Three Months to Deliver Relief, Demands Clear Timelines

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October 10, 2026

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ACF’s Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Mohammed-Baba

Hardship: ACF Gives Tinubu Three Months to Deliver Relief, Demands Clear Timelines

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to introduce measures to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians within three months, while demanding clear timelines and measurable targets for improving living conditions.

The forum said the Federal Government should move beyond repeated assurances that economic conditions would improve and provide specific commitments showing when Nigerians could begin to experience meaningful relief.

The ACF’s Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Mohammed-Baba, made the call during an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, October 8, 2026, according to media reports.

Mohammed-Baba said the administration needed to be more transparent about the effects of its economic reforms and acknowledge areas where the outcomes had fallen short of expectations.

He argued that government policies should be assessed not only by their stated objectives but also by their effects on households, businesses and the wider population.

The ACF spokesman cited the rising cost of living, declining purchasing power, increasing rents, higher transportation expenses and electricity bills as some of the pressures confronting Nigerians. He also identified poor road infrastructure and persistent insecurity as challenges affecting citizens’ welfare.

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According to him, the government should explain how it intends to address these problems and establish clear benchmarks against which its performance can be measured.

Mohammed-Baba called on the Tinubu administration to outline what it expects to achieve within one, two and three years, arguing that measurable targets would enable Nigerians to assess progress rather than rely solely on official assurances.

He also urged the government to acknowledge the difficulties associated with its economic policies and communicate more openly with citizens about the challenges and expected outcomes.

The ACF spokesman maintained that the government should not expect Nigerians to endure prolonged hardship without a clear indication of when relief measures would take effect.

He said three months should be enough for the administration to introduce measures capable of reducing some of the immediate pressures on households, even if broader economic recovery would require more time.

The forum also called for greater accountability from political leaders, arguing that the sacrifices demanded of citizens should be matched by a commitment from public officials to responsible governance and improved service delivery.

Mohammed-Baba’s comments add to the ongoing debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the pressure that higher living costs have placed on households and small businesses.

The government has defended its reforms as necessary to address longstanding economic challenges. However, the ACF’s position underscores the need for clear communication about the expected benefits of the policies and practical measures to cushion their immediate effects.

On the 2027 general elections, Mohammed-Baba said the ACF would assess political parties and candidates based on their commitment to good governance, accountability, anti-corruption, equity and fairness.

He said the forum’s position would be guided by the quality of leadership and the ability of political actors to promote responsible governance rather than automatic support for any particular political party.

The ACF’s central demand is for the Federal Government to establish clear deadlines, measurable objectives and practical steps for reducing hardship, enabling Nigerians to judge progress by tangible improvements in their daily lives.

Hardship: ACF Gives Tinubu Three Months to Deliver Relief, Demands Clear Timelines

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Adamawa Mourns as Fufore Loses Second Council Chairman in 18 Months

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October 10, 2026

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Late Chairman of Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Dr Yahaya Sa’idu

Adamawa Mourns as Fufore Loses Second Council Chairman in 18 Months

The Chairman of Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Dr Yahaya Sa’idu, has died less than three months after assuming office, in a development that has plunged the council and its residents into mourning.

Sa’idu reportedly died at a hospital in Kaduna following a brief illness. According to Ahmed B. Yusha’u, the council’s Information Officer, the chairman died at about 1 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

His death came approximately 18 months after his predecessor, Shuaibu Babas, also died while serving as chairman of the council, making the latest development another significant loss for the Fufore community.

The news of Sa’idu’s death was confirmed in a condolence message by Aliyu Boya Wakili, the member of the House of Representatives representing Fufore/Song Federal Constituency.

Wakili expressed sadness over the death, describing it as a major loss to the people of Fufore and Adamawa State. He prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

He also extended condolences to the late chairman’s family, associates and constituents, urging them to find strength and comfort during the difficult period.

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The Adamawa State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) also mourned Sa’idu’s death. The association’s state chairman, Titus Obadiah, described him as a committed leader who served his community.

Obadiah sympathised with the bereaved family, friends, political associates and residents of Fufore, praying for comfort and strength for everyone affected by the loss.

The Adamawa State Police Command also expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, the Fufore community and the state government. The condolence message was signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje.

Other political figures who reportedly mourned Sa’idu included Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District, and Ahmad Lawan, a senior special assistant on security to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

Sa’idu was sworn in as Fufore local government chairman on July 15, 2026, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His death occurred less than three months after he began his tenure.

His predecessor, Shuaibu Babas, died on April 23, 2025, while in office. Babas’s death was followed by a succession process that eventually led to his deputy, Peace Samson Audu, being sworn in as substantive chairman in May 2025.

The successive deaths have prompted fresh expressions of grief among political stakeholders and residents of Fufore, who are mourning the loss of two council leaders within approximately 18 months.

As tributes continue to emerge, details of Sa’idu’s funeral arrangements were yet to be formally confirmed in the reports available at the time of publication.

The circumstances surrounding his reported brief illness have not been publicly detailed beyond the information provided by the council’s Information Officer.