Nigeria Court orders final seizure of Abuja houses, cars of fmr. Petroleum Minister
A Nigerian court has ordered a final seizure of two properties and cars owned by former oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, the country’s economic crimes commission said on Monday, in the latest ruling related to graft allegations against her.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement that High Court Judge Mobolaji Olajuwon issued the final forfeiture of the former minister’s $3 million homes and cars in Abuja to the federal government.
The two properties are located at Plot 1854 Mohammed Mahashir Street, and No. 6, Aso Drive, in the highbrow Asokoro and Maitama Districts of Abuja and valued at two million, six hundred and seventy-six thousand, four hundred and eighteen US dollars and three hundred million nairas.
Alison-Madueke was a key figure in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan who served as petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015. She has been dogged by corruption allegations since she left office but denies the charges.
Alison-Madueke’s whereabouts are unclear, but she was last known to be in Britain.
A court had previously ordered the seizure of her upmarket property in the commercial capital Lagos and frozen funds that were said to be part of the rent collected from the property.
In 2017, the U.S. Justice Department filed a civil complaint aimed at recovering about $144 million in assets allegedly obtained through bribes to the former minister.
