Judge Jennifer L. Thurston of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California has ordered the FBI to transfer approximately $6 million seized from convicted American arms dealer Ara Dolarian to the Nigerian government through lawyer Jovi Usude.
The decision follows years of legal proceedings initiated by Mr. Usude, who petitioned the court to prevent the forfeiture of funds belonging to the Nigerian government. The funds had been seized from Mr. Dolarian’s account by U.S. authorities after he was found guilty of illegal arms dealing and money laundering.
In his argument, Mr. Usude maintained that the money did not belong to Mr. Dolarian but was intended for the procurement of weapons for Nigeria. He stated that the Nigerian government was unaware that the funds violated U.S. laws.
“The funds sent by ‘S.E.I.’ were for the procurement of weapons on behalf of the Nigerian government,” Mr. Usude argued in 2022. “The claimant, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was not aware that the funds were in violation of the laws of the United States.”
On December 23, 2024, Judge Thurston ruled in favor of Nigeria, issuing a final order of forfeiture that recognized Nigeria’s superior claim to the funds. The court instructed the FBI to transfer the money to the Nigerian government, marking the resolution of a lengthy legal battle.
“The court hereby enters a final order of forfeiture, recognizing the superior interest of petitioner Federal Republic of Nigeria in the funds forfeited in the amended preliminary order,” Judge Thurston stated.
Background of the Case
The case dates back to 2014, when former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki sought to bypass a U.S. arms embargo to procure weapons for Nigeria amid the escalating Boko Haram insurgency. The arms purchase, valued at $8.6 million, was meant to bolster Nigeria’s military capabilities ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Mr. Dolarian, an illegal arms dealer without the required license, was contracted to supply high-grade military equipment, including bombs, rockets, firearms, and cannons. However, instead of fulfilling the contract, he spent over $1 million of the funds on luxury items, including a new BMW and tax settlements.
The FBI, alerted by his lavish spending, launched an investigation that revealed Mr. Dolarian’s illegal activities. He was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to arms trafficking and money laundering in June 2019. Of the $8.6 million transferred, $6.1 million remained in his account, which was seized by the FBI.
The recent court ruling is seen as a significant victory for Nigeria, which has been engaged in numerous legal battles to recover assets on international soil. The funds are expected to be returned to Nigeria, providing some restitution for the financial losses incurred in the arms procurement scandal.
This case highlights Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reclaim its assets and protect its financial interests in the face of international fraud and corruption.
