A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the interim seizure of jewellery valued at about $40m, belonging to Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke.
The EFCC seized the items comprising wristwatches, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, earrings, as well as a gold iPhone from a premises belonging to the former minister.
In the application, the EFCC said it believes that the pieces of jewellery were obtained with proceeds of unlawful activities by the former Minister adding that Mrs Allison-Madueke’s known and provable lawful income is far less than the value of the jewellery sought to be forfeited.
Justice Oweibo granted the application and agreed with the EFCC that the court has the statutory powers under the provision of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006 to order the forfeiture.
He also ordered EFCC to publish notice of same in a National daily to enable anyone against the forfeiture to come forward within fourtéen days with reasons why this should not be permanent.
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