The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 allegedly recovered from Dr. Nura Ali, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto State, to the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter, granted the order following an application by counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Osuobeni Akponimisingha.
Moving the motion, Akponimisingha informed the court that the ICPC had complied with all procedural requirements for the forfeiture, including the publication of a notice pursuant to the interim order earlier issued by the court. The notice invited any interested party to appear and show cause why the seized funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
He, however, noted that since the publication, no individual or entity had come forward to claim ownership of the money or filed any objection to the forfeiture proceedings.
“We therefore seek an order forfeiting the sum of $49,700 to the Federal Government in view of the processes filed and the absence of any opposition, my lord,” Akponimisingha said.
After reviewing the submission and the accompanying evidence, Justice Nwite agreed with the prosecution’s argument and granted the application.
“I have listened to the submission of learned counsel to the applicant and examined the affidavit evidence before me. I am of the view that the application is meritorious. Consequently, the motion is hereby granted,” the judge ruled.
The development marks the conclusion of a case that began with an interim forfeiture order issued by Justice Nwite on December 30, 2024, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024 — Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Dr. Nura Ali.
The interim order had directed that the $49,700 recovered from the former INEC official be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government, pending the outcome of the investigation and subsequent proceedings for permanent forfeiture.
In the motion filed by the Federal Government through the ICPC, prosecutors alleged that the money was not part of the legitimate earnings of Dr. Ali in his capacity as Resident Electoral Commissioner and that it was suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
According to the ICPC, INEC does not pay its staff salaries or allowances in United States dollars, reinforcing suspicions that the funds were illicitly acquired.
The ICPC told the court that the foreign currency was recovered during an investigation into alleged financial misconduct and abuse of office by Dr. Ali in the course of the 2023 general elections.
The anti-graft agency stated that preliminary findings suggested that the funds might have been linked to activities inconsistent with public service regulations and INEC’s operational guidelines.
In compliance with the court’s December 2024 directive, the ICPC published a notice of the interim forfeiture in a national newspaper, calling on any interested persons to appear before the court to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited.
However, when the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, no counter-application, appearance, or claim of ownership was made before the court, paving the way for the final forfeiture order.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, affirmed that the Federal Government had satisfied all legal requirements for the permanent forfeiture of the funds. The court held that since the respondent, Dr. Ali, failed to contest the application, the prosecution’s case stood unchallenged and was therefore deemed proven.
The court subsequently ordered that the $49,700 be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, to be managed in accordance with existing financial and anti-corruption laws.
The judgment represents another major victory in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to recover illicit assets linked to public officials. Under the provisions of the ICPC Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, the Federal High Court is empowered to order both interim and permanent forfeitures of assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, even in the absence of a criminal conviction, provided that due process is followed and public notice is duly issued.
Legal experts say the ruling underscores the judiciary’s growing resolve to uphold the country’s anti-corruption framework, particularly in cases involving public officeholders.
A senior legal analyst, commenting on the case, said:
“This judgment demonstrates that public officials must account for every fund in their possession. The court is sending a clear message that illicit enrichment — whether proven through direct bribery or unexplained cash possession — will not go unpunished.”
Sources within the ICPC hailed the ruling as a step forward in reinforcing accountability within Nigeria’s electoral system. They noted that the outcome aligns with the government’s broader anti-corruption drive, especially as it pertains to agencies directly involved in sensitive democratic processes such as elections.
“The Commission will continue to pursue all cases of financial impropriety involving public servants, no matter their status or influence,” an ICPC official said on condition of anonymity.
INEC, on its part, has not issued an official response regarding the forfeiture but has previously stated its commitment to supporting all lawful investigations involving its current or former officials.
The case of Dr. Nura Ali comes amid renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s electoral and public service systems. In recent years, both the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have intensified asset recovery drives targeting illicit funds stashed locally and abroad.
Observers note that forfeiture orders such as this not only serve punitive purposes but also act as deterrents to public officials tempted to exploit their offices for personal gain.
As Justice Nwite’s ruling takes effect, the recovered $49,700 (approximately ₦76 million) will now become property of the Federal Government, marking another symbolic milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing campaign against corruption.
With the permanent forfeiture order granted and no pending challenge, the case against Dr. Nura Ali has effectively been concluded — closing another chapter in the country’s effort to ensure that no proceeds of crime remain outside the reach of justice.
