Diezani to forfeit $21 million properties to FG

The former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison Madueke has been ordered to forfeit another $21 million in properties to the Federal Government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the interim forfeiture order from a vacation judge at a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Justice Abdulaziz Anka ordered that Madueke forfeit the 56 houses she allegedly purchased from 2011 to 2016 through four front companies.

The four front companies identified in the EFCC case are Chapel Properties Limited, Blue Nile Estate Limited, Azinga Meadows Limited and Vistapoint Property Development Limited.

Counsel to the EFCC, Anselem Ozioko told the court that Madueke shelled out $16,441,906 (N2.6billion) and another $5,540318 (N840,000,000) cash for the properties.

The properties purchased on her behalf include:

»29 terrace houses comprising eight four-bedroom penthouse apartments
•Six three-bedroom apartments
•Two three-bedroom maisonettes
•Two twin bedroom apartments
•One four-bedroom apartment.
•No. 7, Thurnbull Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba
•16 four-bedroom terrace houses in Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu, GRA Phase 1 Extension, Port Harcourt
•13 three-bedroom terrace houses
•Six flats of three bedrooms and one boys’ quarters each, a lawn tennis court, a gym and “matured garden”.

According to an EFCC investigative officer, Mr Sombori Mayana, the commission got wind of the properties in 2016 following its execution of a search warrant on the office and premises of the former minister’s acquaintance, Mr Donald Chidi Amamgbo.

Mayana said: “…among the documents recovered from the office of Mr Donald Chidi Amamgbo was an undated report titled ‘HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT – AUGUST REPORT’

“The report contained a list of 18 companies and several properties located in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the United States of America.

“During the course of his interview, Mr Donald Amamgbo told us that he registered the 18 companies to assist Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke in holding titles of the properties.”