The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 recovered from Dr. Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto State.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling on Wednesday after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the funds.
ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court that a public notice had been issued following an earlier order for temporary forfeiture, inviting any interested parties to claim ownership of the money. He said no objections were received within the stipulated period.
“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 agreed with the commission’s submission, stating that the application had merit. “I am satisfied that the application is meritorious. Consequently, it is hereby granted,” he ruled.
The interim forfeiture order was first granted on December 30, 2024, after an ex parte motion filed jointly by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, sought temporary forfeiture of the funds pending investigation.
According to court documents, the money was recovered during a DSS search at Dr. Ali’s residence in Kano. An affidavit submitted by ICPC litigation officer Iliya Markus alleged that Dr. Ali received bribes from political figures while serving as INEC REC in Sokoto.
Dr. Ali reportedly told investigators that the $49,700 was a gift from former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Aliyu Wamakko. He later wrote to the DSS seeking the release of the money.
The ICPC argued that INEC staff are not paid in foreign currency and that the funds were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity. After confirming compliance with publication requirements and noting no contest from any party, the court ordered the permanent forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.
