Judge Jennifer L. Thurston of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California has ruled that approximately $6 million seized from convicted arms dealer Ara Dolarian be transferred to the Nigerian government. The ruling follows years of legal proceedings, initiated after Nigerian lawyer Jovi Usude petitioned the court to prevent the funds from being forfeited to the U.S. government.

 

The funds had been seized by the FBI during an investigation into Dolarian, who had been contracted by Nigeria to procure weapons amidst the Boko Haram insurgency and the looming 2015 presidential elections. The weapons, including high-explosive bombs and military-grade firearms, were intended for Nigeria’s defense but were instead used by Dolarian for personal expenses, prompting the FBI’s scrutiny.

Usude, representing the Nigerian government, successfully argued that the $6.1 million remaining from the original $8.6 million transfer was Nigerian property, not Dolarian’s, and should be returned. The court’s ruling, made on December 19, 2024, recognizes Nigeria’s superior claim over the seized funds.

The case traces back to 2015 when the then Nigerian army chief, Sambo Dasuki, sought to bypass a U.S. arms sales ban to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign. Dolarian, acting as an intermediary, misused the funds, leading to his eventual conviction in 2019 on charges related to illegal arms dealing and money laundering.

This victory marks a significant step for Nigeria in reclaiming assets lost due to illegal dealings and adds to the country’s ongoing legal efforts to protect its international assets.


 

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