A Nigerian court has permanently confiscated $49,700 discovered at the home of Dr Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto State, amid allegations of electoral misconduct and bribery.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruled in favour of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after it demonstrated that the money had no proven legitimate source. The court noted that, despite publication inviting claims, no person or institution had contested the forfeiture.
ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court that the money was initially seized following a joint operation with the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2024. The agencies argued that the funds were “proceeds of unlawful activity,” allegedly obtained during Dr Ali’s tenure overseeing elections in Sokoto State.
Investigators said the DSS received intelligence suggesting the former REC collected bribes from political stakeholders. The operation, conducted under a court-issued search warrant, reportedly recovered bundles of US dollars hidden within Ali’s residence.
Court filings also revealed that Dr Ali later wrote to the DSS seeking the return of the cash, claiming it was a gift. However, officials insisted the source of the funds could not be justified under Nigerian law. “INEC does not pay its officials in US dollars,” the ICPC stated in its affidavit.
Justice Nwite had earlier, on 30 December 2024, issued a temporary forfeiture order before granting the final ruling this week. The funds are now to be transferred into a Central Bank of Nigeria escrow account for the Federal Government.
The case underscores Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to curb corruption within public institutions, particularly in its electoral system—a recurring concern ahead of future elections.
