The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 recovered from Nura Ali, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Sokoto State, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the ruling on Wednesday after considering an application brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Counsel to the ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, informed the court that the commission had complied with all necessary legal procedures, including the publication of a public notice following an interim forfeiture order issued on December 30, 2024. He added that no claimant or interested party had come forward to contest the forfeiture.

“We respectfully pray the court to make a final forfeiture order in favour of the Federal Government, as all due processes have been followed without any objection,” Akponimisingha stated.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the ICPC’s application was “meritorious” and consequently ordered that the $49,700 be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The funds were initially recovered by the Department of State Services (DSS) from Ali’s Kano residence during a joint operation with the ICPC. According to an affidavit filed in court, the money formed part of a $150,000 “gift” Ali admitted to receiving from former Sokoto State Governors, Aminu Tambuwal and Aliyu Wamakko, which he failed to declare as required by law.

Investigators noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not pay its officials in foreign currency, describing the cash as suspected proceeds of unlawful activity.

The court had earlier directed that the seized funds be deposited in a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) escrow account pending the outcome of a 90-day investigation into Ali’s conduct. With no challenge filed, the forfeiture has now been made final.