The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 allegedly recovered from Dr. Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Sokoto State, during the 2023 general elections.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, moved a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the money.
Akponimisingha informed the court that the ICPC had complied with its earlier order directing temporary forfeiture of the funds and that a public notice had been issued inviting any interested parties to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
He noted, however, that no objections or representations had been received since the publication.
“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.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held 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,” the judge ruled.
The trial judge had, on December 30, 2024, granted an interim forfeiture order following an ex parte motion jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, sought temporary forfeiture of the recovered sum pending the outcome of further investigations.
The application, signed by Mr Usman Dauda, Director of Legal Services for the DSS, and filed by Akponimisingha on behalf of the ICPC, stated that the money was found during a search conducted by DSS operatives at Dr Ali’s residence in Kano.
According to the supporting affidavit deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, intelligence reports alleged that Dr Ali received bribes from political stakeholders while serving as INEC REC in Sokoto State.
Markus stated that during the search, $49,700 was recovered, and Dr Ali, in his statement, claimed that the money was a gift from former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Senator Aliyu Wamakko. He also noted that Ali later wrote to the DSS requesting the release of the seized funds.
The ICPC maintained that INEC does not pay its staff in US dollars, and that the recovered money was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
Following the interim order, the court had directed the publication of a notice in a national newspaper inviting interested parties to show cause why the funds should not be forfeited.
After confirming compliance and noting that no objections were received, the court granted the ICPC’s request for the final forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.