Court Orders Forfeiture Of $40m Worth Of Jewellery Belonging To Diezani

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of jewellery valued at about $40m, belonging to Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to the Federal Government.

The EFCC had seized the items comprising wristwatches, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, earrings, as well as a gold iPhone from a premises belonging to the former minister.

In the application, the EFCC said it believes that the pieces of jewellery were obtained with proceeds of unlawful activities by the former Minister.

The Commission also stated that Mrs Alison-Madueke’s known and provable lawful income is far less than the value of the jewellery sought to be forfeited.

In granting the application, Justice Oweibo agreed with the EFCC that the court has the statutory powers under the provision of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006 to order the forfeiture.

The judge also ordered the anti-graft commission to publish in any national newspaper the interim order of forfeiture to serve as notice to the former Minister or anyone interested in the assets to be forfeited to appear before the court to show cause within 14days why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The court then adjourned further proceedings till August 13.

See the court documents below: