The Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld the final forfeiture of $40 million in jewellery confiscated from former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke.

The judgment, read on Friday by Justice Festus Obande, ruled that Alison Madueke’s quest to reverse the lower court’s order lacked substance and hence dismissed the former Minister’s attempt to contest the forfeiture order.

In 2019, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission obtained a temporary forfeiture order from Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court.

According to the schedule attached to the forfeiture application, the jewellery is divided into 33 sets and includes “419 bangles; 315 rings; 304 earrings; 267 necklaces; 189 wristwatches; 174 necklaces and earrings; 78 bracelets; 77 brooches; and 74 pendants, all considered to be very expensive.”

In his motion for the eventual forfeiture order, EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the judge that the items were alleged to have been obtained with the proceeds of illegal activity.

In a document filed with the court, an investigator with the Commission, Rufai Zaki, maintained that the jewels exceeded the former minister’s “known and verifiable lawful revenue.”

The former Minister had disputed the EFCC’s seizure of the jewellery from her premises.

The former Minister had challenged the seizure of the pieces of jewellery from her premises by the EFCC.