A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of ₦3.44 billion and multiple properties linked to a former official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, following a corruption probe by the nation’s anti-graft agency.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice J.O Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court granted the application for final forfeiture filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against assets traced to Salihu Nuhu Jamari.
The court ordered that the sum of ₦3,444,000,000, alongside three properties located in Abuja and Lagos, be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. The affected assets include an uncompleted six-bedroom semi-detached duplex with a boys’ quarters in Asokoro District, Abuja; a two-bedroom apartment in Osborne II, Ikoyi, Lagos; and a restaurant property in Lokogoma District, Abuja.
The ruling followed a motion on notice filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, on March 17, 2026. The court had earlier, on February 25, 2026, granted an interim forfeiture order and directed that the notice be published in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently seized.
No objections were sustained against the application, paving the way for the final order.
According to court filings, the funds and properties are linked to an ongoing investigation into allegations of conspiracy, bribery, kickbacks, and money laundering involving officials and contractors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Jamari, who served as Managing Director of the corporation’s Gas and Power Investment Company Limited, was identified as a key figure in the scheme following a petition dated April 28, 2025.
Investigations revealed that he allegedly leveraged his position to channel illicit payments through private firms, including Cumulus Energy Limited and Pius and Phillips Petroleum Limited, where he is listed as a director and signatory. The EFCC maintained that the funds were proceeds of kickbacks from contractors awarded major projects by the national oil company.
In granting the application, Justice Abdulmalik held that the evidence presented by the EFCC was sufficient and that the application had merit, thereby ordering the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
