Court Orders Permanent Forfeiture Of $49,700 Seized From Former INEC Official

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 recovered from Dr. Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto State, during the 2023 general elections.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) asked the court to finalize the forfeiture of the funds.

The ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told the court that the agency had followed all previous directives, including publishing a public notice inviting anyone with claims to the money to come forward.

He added that since no one responded within the given period, the Commission requested that the funds be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

“We therefore seek an order permanently forfeiting the sum of $49,700 to the Federal Government, in view of the compliance with the interim order and the absence of any opposition,” Akponimisingha said.

Justice Nwite agreed with the ICPC’s position, stating that the application 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,” he ruled.

The case dates back to December 30, 2024, when the court first granted an interim forfeiture order after a joint ex parte motion by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The motion sought to hold the money temporarily while investigations continued.

According to the supporting affidavit filed by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, the cash was discovered during a DSS search at Dr. Ali’s residence in Kano.

Markus alleged that the former INEC official received bribes from political figures while serving in Sokoto State.

Dr. Ali reportedly told investigators that the $49,700 was a gift from former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Aliyu Wamakko. He later wrote to the DSS requesting the return of the seized funds.

However, the ICPC maintained that INEC does not pay its officials in U.S. dollars, insisting that the money was suspected proceeds of illegal activity.

After publishing the required notice in a national newspaper and receiving no objections, the court ruled in favor of the ICPC and transferred ownership of the $49,700 to the Federal Government permanently.

Meanwhile, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has asked the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to dismiss the criminal defamation case filed against her.