Court Orders Final Forfeiture of $49,700 Recovered from Former INEC Official to Federal Government

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

Justice Nwite gave the ruling after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) applied for the final forfeiture of the funds, citing full compliance with the interim order and the absence of any objection.

“We, therefore, seek an order permanently forfeiting the sum of $49,700 to the Federal Government, in view of compliance with the interim order and the absence of any opposition,” counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Akponimisingha, told the court.

In his judgment, 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 court had earlier, 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 the temporary forfeiture of the recovered sum pending further investigation.

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 discovered during a search of Dr. Ali’s residence in Kano.

According to an affidavit deposed to by an ICPC litigation officer, Iliya Markus, intelligence reports alleged that Dr. Ali received bribes from political stakeholders while serving as INEC REC in Sokoto State.

Markus further stated that during the search, operatives recovered $49,700, and Dr. Ali, in his statement, claimed 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. However, the ICPC maintained that INEC does not pay its staff in foreign currency and that the money was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Following the interim order, the court directed that a notice be published in a national newspaper, inviting any interested party to show cause why the funds should not be forfeited.

After confirming compliance with the directive and noting that no objections were filed, the court granted the ICPC’s request, ordering the final forfeiture of the $49,700 to the Federal Government.