Metro
Court Orders Diezani To Forfeit N14.4 Billion Jewelry, Gold I-Phone
By Ayodele Oluwafemi
Erstwhile minister of petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Allisaon-Madueke is to temporarily forfeit an estimated N14.4 billion worth of jewelry to the Federal Government, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ruled on Friday.
She is to prove within 14 days after the publication of the assets in a national newspaper that she rightfully procured the jewelry the court presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo ruled. Among the listed items was a customised gold i-phone.
The jewelries estimated at $40 million were recovered from the premises of the former minister by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Justice Oweibo issued the order upon an exparte motion brought by the EFCC attorney, Rotimi Oyedepo.
The jewelry comprising expensive wristwatches, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, earrings according to the commission are suspected to be proceeds of crime by the former minister.
The commission deposed that her reasonable income could not have procured the jewelry.
The court ordered the EFCC to publish the assets in a national newspaper for the former minister or anyone with interests in them to respond to the application.
Further hearing on the case was adjourned to August 13.
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