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

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

Delivering judgement on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had met all legal requirements for the final forfeiture, noting the absence of any objection from interested parties.

“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,” Justice Nwite declared.

Counsel to the ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, had moved a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the funds, informing the court that the anti-graft agency had fully complied with its earlier interim forfeiture order. He said a public notice had been published inviting any interested individuals to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited, but none had responded.

“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 told the court.

The ruling followed an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the same court on December 30, 2024, in response to an ex parte motion jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, and signed by Usman Dauda, Director of Legal Services for the DSS, revealed that the funds were discovered during a search at Dr. Ali’s residence in Kano.

According to an affidavit deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, intelligence reports alleged that Dr. Ali had received bribes from political stakeholders while serving as INEC REC in Sokoto during the 2023 general elections.

Markus further stated that during the DSS search, $49,700 was recovered, and that Dr. Ali claimed the money was a “gift” from former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Senator Aliyu Wamakko. Dr. Ali had also written to the DSS requesting the release of the seized funds.

The ICPC argued, however, that INEC does not pay its staff in U.S. dollars, and that the recovered money was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Following Wednesday’s ruling, the funds are now officially forfeited to the Federal Government, marking the conclusion of a case that underscores the renewed collaboration between the ICPC and the DSS in tackling electoral-related corruption.