This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
On September 10, the Federal High Court in Nigeria secured a forfeiture order for precious metals recovered from the Abuja home of former oil minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) had recovered the items, valued at $40 million, from the ex-minister's residence.
The seized items include 419 bangles, 315 rings, 304 earrings, 267 necklaces, 189 wristwatches, 174 pairs of earrings, 78 bracelets, 77 brooches, and 74 pendants, all of high market value.
Additionally, the EFCC will auction luxury houses in Nigeria, the US, and the UK, as part of the seized assets.
Mrs Madueke, who served as oil minister from 2011 to 2015, is currently in hiding in London and faces charges of fraud and corruption in Nigeria.
According to Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the EFCC, the ex-minister will eventually be repatriated to face the charges.
Magu also announced that over 242 trailers and tankers, as well as over 100 luxury cars, had been recovered from internet fraudsters. The EFCC plans to auction the trailers and tankers in Port Harcourt within the next two weeks.
