ETHEL WATEMI
An ultra-luxury penthouse at the one57 tower belonging to Nigerian energy businessman Kola Aluko has been auctioned off in New York City’s biggest foreclosure sale.
The unit at the Billionaires’ Row skyscraper sold yesterday for $36 million. The name of the buyer, one of five bidders aside from the bank, wasn’t immediately available.
The building – the most expensive home ever seized in New York City – is believed to be part of the proceeds of “shady” oil contracts also involving Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and another businessman, Jide Omokore.
The trio, who are on the radar of US department of justice for alleged money laundering, risk the forfeiture of at least $144 million worth of assets regarded as proceeds of crime.
Shell companies linked to Aluko was said to have purchased the luxurious apartment for $50.9 m in 2014 making it the eighth most expensive unit in the building.
“It’s probably the most-expensive foreclosure we’ve ever seen in luxury development. I don’t know of a foreclosure that’s larger than that,” said Donna Olshan, President of high-end Manhattan brokerage Olshan Realty Inc.
Aluko, 48, has not been seen for a while, which has sparked rumours that he is hiding away on his yacht, which he rented to Jay Z and Beyoncé in 2015 for $900,000 a week.
Aluko was reportedly last seen in Hong Kong in May and his yacht is currently in the Bahamas, according to reports.
Aluko is also avoiding Nigerian authorities who tried to freeze his asset in February as part of a money-laundering probe that also involves ex-Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
One57 was built by Extell Development Co. and was the tallest residential building in Manhattan until 432 Park Ave was completed a few months later, according to New York City property records.
Construction started on the building in 2009 and finished in 2014, creating a trend of similar ultra-luxury high-rises on 57th street, which has now been coined ‘Billionaire’s Row’.
Amenities in the building include a 24-hour doorman and concierge, fitness centre, yoga studio, private dining room, catering kitchen, library, valet service and on-site parking.
