Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Court withholds $49,700 recover from INEC former REC

POSTED ON December 31, 2024 •   Breaking News      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Sokoto State during the 2023 general elections, Dr. Nura Ali

An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Monday, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the sum of $49,700.00 allegedly recovered from Nura Ali, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Sokoto State during the 2023 general elections.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), moved an ex-parte motion.

While the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) was the applicant, Ali was the sole respondent in the motion ex-parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024.

The motion, dated Dec. 20 and filed Dec. 24, was jointly submitted by the ICPC and the State Security Service (SSS).

Usman Dauda, the director of legal services for the SSS, signed the application, while Akponimisingha, assistant chief legal officer in the ICPC, was part of the legal team that drafted the motion.

The motion sought an order of the court temporarily forfeiting the sum of $49,700.00, “recovered from one Dr. Nura Ali during a search operation by the federal government of Nigeria as property suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.”

It also requested an order directing the applicant, through the ICPC and the SSS, to jointly conduct a thorough preliminary investigation into the alleged unlawful activities of Mr Ali concerning the movable property and submit a report to the court within 90 days.

Additionally, the motion sought an order directing the applicant to deposit the $49,700.00 in an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and to publish a notice in a national newspaper inviting persons, whether human, juristic or artificial, with an interest in the money to show cause why it should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The applicant stated that the victims of the alleged crime were the federal government of Nigeria and innocent taxpayers, including judges across the country.

It said the money was recovered during a search operation by SSS operatives at Ali’s residence.

“The alleged movable property of $49,700.00 was bribe money received by Dr Nura Ali when he was the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Sokoto State.

“The alleged movable property is not the legitimate earning of Dr Ali as INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner.

“The alleged movable property is suspected to be proceeds of crime,” the application stated.

The applicant argued that INEC does not pay its staff in U.S. dollars as salaries or allowances.

It added that the application’s purpose was to preserve the property from dissipation rather than to compulsorily acquire it from the alleged owner.

The applicant emphasized that interested persons, including the alleged owner, would have the opportunity to provide a legitimate explanation for the property.

“Where cogent and verifiable explanations exist as to how the property was acquired, devoid of crime, the alleged owner or any other person with a proprietary interest in the property will be allowed unrestricted possession of the property.

“This application is not in conflict with Sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantee citizens’ rights to acquire and own property in Nigeria,” it added.

When the matter was called, Akponimisingha, who appeared for the FRN, told the court that the motion ex-parte sought four orders.

The lawyer said four exhibits were attached to the motion, labelled Exhibit DSS 1 through Exhibit DSS 4.

He urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.
He said a search was conducted at Ali’s residence in Kano, where $49,700.00 was retrieved.

He alleged that Ali disclosed in an extra-judicial statement to the SSS that $150,000 was gifted to him by the former Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal, and Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

The ICPC lawyer stated that Ali had written a letter to the SSS seeking the return of the money.

An affidavit supporting the motion ex-parte, deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, indicated that Akponimisingha had reviewed the case file and understood the allegations that led to the search warrant executed at Ali’s residence.

Markus said the SSS acted on intelligence reports about alleged bribes received by Mr Ali from stakeholders, including politicians, during his tenure as INEC REC in Sokoto.

He confirmed that the residence was searched pursuant to a warrant, during which $49,700.00 was recovered.

“A copy of the search warrant is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit DSS 1,” he said.

The affidavit stated that Mr. Ali failed to report the alleged $49,700.00 gift to law enforcement, as required by law, and that he had previously written letters requesting the return of the money.

“Copies of the said letters are hereby attached and marked as Exhibits DSS 3 and 4, respectively,” it said.

Markus noted that the investigation was ongoing, necessitating the 90-day application.

Nwite, deeming the application meritorious, granted the prayers.
The judge adjourned the matter until Jan. 30 for a compliance report on the publication in the media and until March 31 for further hearing.

 

READ ALSO
Nigeria's Crude Oil Prices Surge to $80 Amid Rising Tensions Between Israel and Iran
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

Amid the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran, Nigeria's crude oil prices surged to nearly $8...

READ ALSO
National Assembly Urged to Enact Laws Protecting Human Rights as Civic Space Diminishes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Amnesty International Nigeria has urged the National Assembly to urgently enact law...

READ ALSO
LASEMA Reaffirms Commitment to Flood Management as 2025 Campaign Kicks Off
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has reaffirmed its readiness t...

READ ALSO
FG to Reclaim Dormant Oil Wells as NUPRC Implements 'Drill or Drop' Policy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 13, 2025 0

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has informed oil producers of its inte...

READ ALSO
House Narrowly Approves Trump-Backed Cuts to NPR, PBS and Foreign Aid
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 13, 2025 0

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted narrowly Thursday to slash $9.4 billion in previously approv...

READ ALSO
Nigeria's $5bn Crude-for-Loan Deal with Aramco Faces Major Setbacks amid Falling Oil Prices
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 11, 2025 0

A $5 billion crude-for-loan agreement between the Federal Government and Saudi Arabian oil giant Ara...

READ ALSO
Health Council Workers Face Salary Delays Due to Federal Funding Cuts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 11, 2025 0

More than 1,500 health professionals associated with the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria hav...

READ ALSO
Lagos Commissioner Urges Startups to Revolutionize Agriculture
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 11, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria (NAN) - The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems in Lagos State, Abisola Olu...

OUR CHANNELS:

Air India Flight 171: Investigators Uncover Dual Engine Failure as Global Scrutiny Mounts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

AHMEDABAD, India— As the world continues to mourn the tragic loss of 290 lives aboard Air Indi...


New Evidence Deepens Air India 787 Crash Mystery: Dual Engine Failure Now in Focus
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

AHMEDABAD, India – As grief continues to hang heavy over the aftermath of Air India Flight 171...


UK Caution Citizens against Traveling To Israel, Iran amid Attacks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The United Kingdom (UK) has issued a travel advisory for its citizens, recommending that Britons ref...


LASG Launches E-Call-Up System to Regulate Truck Movements Starting June 16
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Government has announced that the increasing traffic from heavy tru...


Tanker Drivers to Cease Operation on Monday amid E-call Charges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - Tanker drivers in Lagos State have announced their intention to cease loading petro...


LASG Clamps Down on Illegal Sewage Disposal in Okota
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources sealed a resi...


CBN Governor, Finance Minister to Address Allegations Before House Committee
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, along with the Minister of Finance,...


NDLEA Alerts Parents: Watch for Suspicious Snacks in Children's Bags
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a serious warning to parents, advising t...


2027: Tinubu Hosts Key PDP Figures at Aso Rock
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 16, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting on Saturday evening with prominent members of the oppositio...


Trump Proposes Visa Ban on Nigeria Amid Corruption Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated plans to impose a general visa ban o...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu