By A’isha Biola Raji
The Federal Government has began the sale of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke’s jewellery, the late former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh’s house, among other forfeited assets.
Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke as Minister of Petroleum
The inter-ministerial committee saddled with the disposal of assets recovered by federal government, has commenced the sale of assets in 25 locations across the country.
This is according to Dayo Apata, Chairman of the committee, who made this known Tuesday at a press conference.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had inaugurated the committee on the 9th of November 2020.
Following a Presidential directive of October 27, there was need for the office of the Attorney-General of the federation to coordinate and monitor a uniform process or common platform for recovery, management and sale of all assets forfeited to the federal government.
Diezani Alison Madueke
Apata said the committee, which comprised representatives from the Presidency, Police, Navy, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as well as Ministries of Finance, Justice, Works and Housing, among others, is working towards completing its assignment within a time frame of six months.
Some of the assets to be sold include landed properties, plants, machinery, motor vehicles, jewelry, etc. “It needs to be emphasized that asset recovery and disposal constitutes an integral part of the administration of criminal justice which are all within the purview of the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation,” Apata said.
It would be recalled that, EFCC had in the past secured court approval for final forfeiture of some assets.
In 2019, a federal high court in Lagos ordered the permanent forfeiture of $40 million worth of jewellery seized from the residence of Diezani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum resources, to the federal government.
It would be recalled that a court also ordered the permanent seizure of N3billion and N9.2 billion, belonging to Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A final forfeiture of Dews of Hope Hospital, Owerri, a N1.5 billion state-of-the-art 200-bed hospital, allegedly linked to an aide of Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo state.
Following the briefing, the inter-ministerial committee visited four locations including a house at 14 Adzope Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, a property recovered from Alex Badeh, a former Chief of Defence Staff.
Other locations visited by the committee include EFCC’s vehicle dump site near the National Mosque; The Platinum Residence Exquisite Luxury Accommodation, located in AMSSCO Platinum City, Galadimawa; and a house located at 6 Ethiope Close Maitama.
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