By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is on the verge of losing to the Federal Government, two properties located in Abuja, the capital of the oil-rich West African nation, as well as two luxury cars, following a final forfeiture order by an Abuja High Court on Monday.
The court presided over by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, gave the order forfeiting the assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria while ruling on the application by the nation’s anti-corruption agency Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Suit No. 1122/2021 and Suit No 1123/2021, asking for the final forfeiture of the assets.
The commission had alluded that the assets are proceeds of corruption illicitly acquired by the former Minister while he held office in the Petroleum ministry.
Located at Plot 1854 Mohammed Mahashir Street, and No. 6, Aso Drive, in the highbrow Asokoro and Maitama Districts of Abuja respectively, the two properties are valued at $2,674,418USD and N380, 000,000 respectively.
The luxury cars are a black BMW saloon with Chassis No B8CV54V66629 and registered number, RBC155 DH and a black Jaguar saloon car with Chassis No SAJAA.20 GRDMv43376, valued at N36,000,000.
The EFCC had on November 29, 202 secured the interim forfeiture on the assets in a ruling on separate motion ex-parte filed on September 27, 2021 which prayed the court to order the interim forfeiture of the assets on the grounds of reasonable suspicion that they were proceeds of unlawful activities.
In granting the interim forfeiture Order, Justice Olajuwon had ordered the EFCC to publish a notice in a national newspaper, inviting anyone with interest in the assets to show cause why they should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The court consequently adjourned till January 22, 2022 for report.
In compliance with the Order of Court, the Forfeiture Order was published on a national daily on Wednesday April 6, 2022.
In the absence of any contestation of the Interim Order, the Court, today, forfeited the properties to the Federal Government.
