Court rules $49,700 found in ex-INEC Official’s home was proceeds of corruption

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

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had fulfilled all legal conditions for final forfeiture, noting that no objections were raised by any interested parties.

“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,” Justice Nwite declared.

ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, moved the motion for final forfeiture, stating that the agency had complied with all directives in the interim order, including publishing a public notice inviting anyone with an interest in the funds to come forward.

He said no responses were received.

“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 told the court.

The ruling followed an earlier interim forfeiture order granted on December 30, 2024, after a motion jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, stated that the money was discovered during a search at Dr. Ali’s residence in Kano.

An affidavit deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, alleged that Dr. Ali received bribes from political stakeholders during his tenure as REC in Sokoto in the 2023 general elections.

According to the affidavit, the $49,700 was recovered during the DSS search, and Dr. Ali reportedly claimed the money was a “gift” from former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

He had also written to the DSS seeking the release of the seized funds.

The ICPC maintained that INEC does not pay staff in U.S. dollars and that the recovered sum was suspected to be proceeds of corruption.

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With Wednesday’s judgment, the funds have now been officially forfeited to the Federal Government, marking the conclusion of a case that highlights the strengthened collaboration between the ICPC and DSS in combating electoral corruption.

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