Court permits FG to seize N34 billion from ex-minister

A Federal High Court in Lagos has given the final order for former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke to

The money, in separate sums of N23.4 billion, N9.08 billion and $5 million, was linked to Alison-Madueke by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The order was given by presiding judge, Justice Muslim Hassan on Thursday, February 16.

In reaching the decision, Justice Hassan said that the EFCC has successfully proved that the funds were proceeds of illegal activity.

Justice Hassan had, on January 6, issued an interim order of forfeiture of the sum of 153.3 million dollars to the government, following an exparte application by EFCC seeking similar relief.

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The court had also issued a 14-day deadline to any interested party to appear and prove the legitimacy of the money, failing which the funds would be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

Alison-Madueke is at the centre of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war and is alleged to have personally supervised the laundering of $6 billion in public funds.