Unic Press UK: A Federal High Court, situated/sitting in Lagos state and presided by Judge Abdulaziz Anka, on Wednesday the 11th October 2017 ruled that fifty-six houses [with an estimated value of $21,982,224 or ₦7,798,960,000] belonging to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke be forfeited to the Nigerian government.
- 29 terraced houses comprising eight four-bedroom penthouse apartments; six three-bedroom apartments; two three-bedroom marionettes; two twin bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom apartment all located at 7, Thurburn Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, Lagos.
- 16 four-bedroom terrace at Heritage Court Estate, Omerelu Street, Diobu GRA, Port Harcourt, River state.
- 13 three-bedroom apartment with one room maid’s quarter at Mabushi Gardens Estate, Plot 1205, Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi, Abuja.
- Six flats of three bedroom and one boys’ quarter at Plot 808 (135) Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Judge Anka ORDER was predicated on an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In its ex parte application, the EFCC submitted that Alison-Madueke had acquired the houses in question between 2011 and 2013 with funds suspected to be proceeds of crime.
In granting a final forfeiture ORDER, Justice Anka held that Diezani Alison-Madueke and other respondents in the suit had failed to respond to the EFCC’s Motion on Notice for final forfeiture that was duly served on them.
The respondents have a right of appeal.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, 56-year-old, was one of the most powerful Federal Ministers during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan. During circa eight-year in office [from July 2007 to May 2015] as Federal Minister, she held several positions, including: Federal Minister of Transportation, Federal Minister of Mines & Steel Development and Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources. She was elected President of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on November 2014. She is married to a retired Chief of Naval Staff.
Diezani Allison-Madueke
