The Federal High Court in Abuja has permanently forfeited to the Federal Government the sum of $49,700 recovered from Dr. Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Sokoto State.

The order was issued on Wednesday by Justice Emeka Nwite, following a successful application by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

The funds were allegedly offered as a bribe to Dr. Ali, who was deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to oversee the general elections in Sokoto State. The money was discovered and recovered by a team of security operatives during a search of his residence.

The ICPC’s lawyer, Mr. Osuobeni Akponimisingha, informed the court that the commission had complied with an earlier interim forfeiture order by publishing a notice for any interested party to come forward and contest the seizure. He stated that no one, including Dr. Ali, had appeared to claim the money.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite, having found the application meritorious, granted the request for a final and permanent forfeiture.

“The application is granted,” the judge declared.

The legal process began on December 30, 2024, when the ICPC, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), secured an interim forfeiture order from the court. The initial application argued that the cash was “a property suspected to be the proceeds of an unlawful activity.”

With this final ruling, the $49,700 is now officially confiscated by the Federal Government.