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.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Wednesday after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) applied for final forfeiture of the funds.
ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told the court that all conditions for the final forfeiture had been met, including public notice inviting any interested party to claim ownership. He said no one came forward to contest the seizure.
“We therefore urge the court to permanently forfeit the $49,700 to the Federal Government in line with the interim order and the absence of any objection,” he stated.
Justice Nwite agreed, ruling that the application was valid.
“I have examined the supporting affidavit and submissions of counsel. The application is meritorious and is hereby granted,” he declared.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, originated from an ex parte motion jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). The court had earlier ordered the temporary forfeiture of the cash on December 30, 2024, pending investigation.
According to documents filed in court, DSS operatives found the money during a search at Dr. Ali’s residence in Kano. An affidavit by ICPC officer Iliya Markus stated that intelligence reports indicated Ali received bribes from political actors while serving as REC in Sokoto during the 2023 elections.
Markus also revealed that the former REC claimed the cash was a “gift” from former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Aliyu Wamakko. He later wrote to the DSS requesting that the money be returned.
The ICPC, however, argued that INEC does not pay staff in foreign currency, asserting that the money was likely proceeds of corruption.
Following the required publication of notice and with no opposition received, the court granted the ICPC’s request, officially transferring the $49,700 to the Federal Government.
