Court orders forfeiture of N3.4 billion and three properties linked to former NNPC official

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of N3.4 billion and three properties linked to alleged fraud by Salihu Nuhu Jamari, a former managing director of the NNPC Gas and Power Investment Company Limited.

The ruling followed a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which argued that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities connected to three projects awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company — the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project, the Abuja Independent Power Project, and the Benin Gas Plant Project. The EFCC said Jamari exercised significant control over all three projects during his tenure.

Read Also: Tinubu misses March deadline as lawmakers extend 2025 capital budget

The forfeited assets include an uncompleted six-bedroom semi-detached duplex with boys’ quarters in Asokoro, Abuja; a two-bedroom flat in Ikoyi, Lagos; and a restaurant building in Lokogoma, Abuja.

Jamari did not contest the application. His counsel, Maryam Abba, informed the court that her client had filed an affidavit of non-contestation. The EFCC also confirmed that a court-ordered public notice inviting interested parties to object had been published, and that no opposition was received.

“Consequently, I grant the order for final forfeiture of the properties and the funds attached to the motion to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the judge ruled.

The proceedings were brought under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act as a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture. According to an affidavit by EFCC investigator Abdullahi Aminu, the case originated from a petition alleging conspiracy, bribery, kickbacks, and money laundering involving NNPC officials and contractors.