Nigeria seizes $37.5m home from ex-petroleum minister

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria has seized a home worth $37.5m allegedly owned by a former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke who has been under government probe for alleged corruption and money laundering.

The country's anti-graft agency Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said in a statement on Saturday that the minister acquired the property between 2011 and 2012 when she was serving in government.

“The property building 3, block B, is a fifteen-storey edifice comprising of 18 flats and 6 penthouses, Bella Vista at Plot 1, Zone N, Federal Government Layout, Banana Island Layout, Foreshore Estate, Off Onikoyi Road, Ikoyi, Lagos,” according to the agency.

“The property was allegedly acquired by the former minister between 2011 and 2012 at a total cost of thirty seven million, five hundred thousand United States Dollars ($37,500,000) from the developers, YF Construction Development and Real Estate.”

The agency said the minister had acquired the house in the name of a shell company, Rusimpex Limited, under the control of certain Mr. Afamefuna Nwokedi of Stillwaters law firm.

The minister served under the regime of Goodluck Jonathan whose regime is now under intense probe by the Buhari administration.

The minister is battling a disease in a London hospital at the moment but has been under probe. Last month, she admitted making mistakes while serving government but denied stealing public funds.