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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.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has clarified that the 1,000 staff who exited the bank in December did so voluntarily, receiving full entitlements.

Cardoso, speaking through Bala Bello, Deputy Director of Corporate Services, at an investigative hearing on the disengagement of the workers and the N50 billion terminal benefits allocated to them, emphasized that the Early Exit Program was entirely voluntary.

According to Bello, the program was part of a broader restructuring and reorganization initiative aimed at optimizing the bank’s performance. He stated that such measures ensure the alignment of the bank’s workforce with its operational needs, including balancing human resources with technological advancements.

“The Early Exit Program was designed to enhance organizational efficiency by placing the right people in the right roles,” Bello explained. “It’s a 100 percent voluntary program, and no staff member was coerced into leaving.”

He further noted that digitization efforts within the banking sector had created redundancies while also generating new opportunities. Some staff members had requested the voluntary exit themselves, he added, citing cases of stagnation and limited career progression as reasons for participation in the program.

Bello highlighted that the Early Exit Program was not unprecedented at the CBN but marked the first time it was extended to all staff categories. He explained that in previous cases, the program targeted senior officials, such as directors and assistant directors, who had limited career growth opportunities.

“This time, the program was open to all cadres of staff, based on popular demand,” Bello said. “Many participants saw it as an opportunity to pursue new ventures, including establishing their own banks.”

Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Usman Kumo, assured that the committee would remain impartial in its investigation. He requested further clarification from the CBN on the objectives and implementation timeline of the Early Exit Program and its connection to the bank’s restructuring and reorganization efforts.

“The House of Representatives recognizes the importance of the CBN’s restructuring and reorganization,” Kumo stated. “However, this committee seeks to understand the objectives and outcomes of these initiatives and will submit its findings to the House.”

The hearing continues as the committee examines the circumstances surrounding the program and its impact on the bank’s operations.

A recent report highlights the state of multidimensional poverty across Nigeria 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), revealing stark disparities in the levels of deprivation experienced by citizens. The data showcases significant challenges, especially in the northern regions, with Sokoto State recording the highest percentage of multidimensional poverty at 90.5%.

Top 10 Most Affected States:

1. Sokoto: 90.5%
2. Bayelsa: 88.5%
3. Gombe: 86.2%
4. Jigawa: 84.3%
5. Plateau: 84%
6. Yobe: 83.5%
7. Kebbi: 82.2%
8. Taraba: 79.4%
9. Ebonyi: 78%
   10.Zamfara: 78%

The southern state of Bayelsa stands out as the second most affected, with 88.5% of its population experiencing multidimensional poverty, indicating that the issue transcends regional boundaries.

States with Moderate Poverty Levels:
In the middle range, states like Enugu (63.1%), Rivers (62.4%), and Kogi (61.3%) show moderate levels of multidimensional poverty, with noticeable room for improvement.

Least Affected States:
At the other end of the spectrum, Ondo (27.2%), Lagos (29.4%), and Abia (29.8%) have the lowest percentages of their populations experiencing multidimensional poverty, highlighting better access to basic needs and services. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, stands out for its relatively low poverty rate despite its large population.

Full List of Multidimensional Poverty Levels:

1. Sokoto: 90.5%
2. Bayelsa: 88.5%
3. Gombe: 86.2%
4. Jigawa: 84.3%
5. Plateau: 84%
6. Yobe: 83.5%
7. Kebbi: 82.2%
8. Taraba: 79.4%
9. Ebonyi: 78%
10. Zamfara: 78%
11. Cross River: 75.4%
12. Benue: 75%
13. Bauchi: 73.9%
14. Kaduna: 73.9%
15. Katsina: 72.7%
16. Borno: 72.5%
17. Akwa Ibom: 71.3%
18. Niger: 69.1%
19. Adamawa: 68.7%
20. Ogun: 68.1%
21. Kano: 66.3%
22. Enugu: 63.1%
23. Rivers: 62.4%
24. Kogi: 61.3%
25. Nasarawa: 60.7%
26. Oyo: 48.7%
27. Kwara: 48.3%
28. FCT: 48.3%
29. Delta: 47.6%
30. Imo: 40.7%
31. Osun: 40.7%
32. Ekiti: 36%
33. Edo: 35.4%
34. Anambra: 32.1%
35. Abia: 29.8%
36. Lagos: 29.4%
37. Ondo: 27.2%

A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has urged the federal government to include ethnicity and religion as key categories in the upcoming 2025 National Population Census, emphasizing their importance for accurate and unbiased demographic data.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Isiguzoro stressed that the inclusion of these categories would ensure a comprehensive representation of Nigeria’s diversity and address historical grievances related to distorted census figures.

“It is of paramount importance to include ethnicity and religion as essential categories in the census exercise,” he said.

“Historical grievances linked to previous National Population Census exercises—marked by fraudulent representations and distortions of demographic data—must not persist. The federal government must take proactive measures to ensure the 2025 Census reflects the full spectrum of our nation’s diversity, mitigating potential disputes over skewed or disproportionate data,” Isiguzoro added.

He further described the initiative as a critical step toward addressing imbalances among Nigeria’s various ethnic groups, highlighting its significance in fostering equity and unity.

In addition, Isiguzoro called on Igbo investors to seize the opportunities presented by the Tinubu administration’s proposed Tax Reform Bills to redirect investments back to the Southeast.

“We encourage Igbo investors and entrepreneurs to prioritize the establishment of an international economic hub in Igbo land by relocating investments—particularly those in the North and Southwest—back to our ancestral territory.

“This is not merely aspirational but a necessary shift to revitalize our local economies and ensure that our financial engagements promote growth and resilience within the Igbo Nation,” he stated.

Isiguzoro emphasized that such efforts would strengthen the Igbo economy and reposition the region as a key player in Nigeria’s economic landscape.