WARRI, Nigeria – A Nigerian court has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $37.5 million mansion belonging to a former oil minister facing corruption charges.
Authorities allege that Diezani Alison-Madueke bought the property in 2013 with the proceeds of unlawful activities.
Judge Chuka Obiozor ordered Monday's forfeiture after nobody showed up in court to prove ownership of the property.
This is the second major victory for Nigeria's anti-corruption body against the former oil minister. In February, a Nigerian court ordered the seizure of more than $110 million from his bank accounts.
The commission is also investigating properties in Britain and the United States allegedly purchased with stolen government funds.
Alison-Madueke, who was a powerful member of former President Goodluck Jonathan's Cabinet from 2010 to May 2015, has consistently denied the allegations.
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