Court orders forfeiture of ex-minister's 56 houses worth $21m

Justice Abdulaziz Anka of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of 56 houses linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the former minister paid $21,982,224 for the properties that were acquired between 2011 and 2013 with the aid of front companies.

According to a report by The Punch, the properties, located in Lagos and Port Harcourt, include 29 terraced houses comprising eight four-bedroomed penthouse apartments, six three-bedroomed apartments, two three-bedroomed maisonettes, two twin bedroomed apartments and one four-bedroom apartment.

According to a report by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the properties located at 7, Thurnburn St., and 5, Raymond St., Yaba, are valued at N937 million and bought through Chapel Properties Ltd.

The 16 four-bedroom terrace located at Heritage Court Estate, Omerelu Street, Diobu GRA, Port Harcourt, River, valued at N928 million were bought through Blue Nile Estate Ltd.

Others are 13 units of 3-bedroom with one room maid's quarter situated at Mabushi Gardens Estate, Plot 1205, Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi, Abuja, valued at N650 million, were bought through Azinga Meadows Ltd.

Also, six flats of three-bedroom and one boys quarter located at Plot 808 (135), Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, valued at N805 million were bought for the ex-minister through Vistapoint property Development Ltd.

The EFCC argued that the properties were proceeds of unlawful activities and prayed to the court to grant a permanent forfeiture order in light of compelling evidence.

The respondents in the suit are Alison-Madueke, Donald Chidi Amamgbo, Chapel Properties Ltd, Blue Nile Estate Ltd, Azinga Meadows Ltd, and Vistapoint Property Development Ltd.

After no concerned party responded to the interim forfeiture order granted by Justice Anka on September 8, he ordered permanent forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.

With a trail of corruption allegations against her, Diezani has been holed up in the United Kingdom where she is also waiting to stand trial for alleged bribery, corruption and money laundering.