US seeks forfeiture of $100m laundered for Diezani

The US Department of Justice has gone to court seeking the
forfeiture and recovery of approximately $144 million of Nigerian
assets allegedly laundered in and through the United States.
The department filed a complaint alleging that Nigerian
businessmen, Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Olajide Omokore, conspired
with others to pay bribes to former Minister for Petroleum
Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

In return for these improper benefits, Alison-Madueke allegedly
used her influence to steer lucrative oil contracts to companies
owned by Aluko and Omokore.

The complainants alleged that the proceeds of the illicitly
awarded contracts were subsequently laundered in and through the
US. and used to purchase various assets subject to seizure and
forfeiture, including a $50 million condominium located in one of
Manhattan’s most expensive buildings – 157 W. 57th Street – and the
Galactica Star, an $80 million yacht.

“The United States is not a safe haven for the proceeds of
corruption,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco said.

According to the U.S. government, Aluko, Omokore purchased
millions of dollars in real estate in and around London for
Alison-Madueke and her family members, then renovated and furnished
these homes with millions of dollars in furniture, artwork and
other luxury items purchased at two Houston-area furniture stores
at Alison-Madueke’s directive.

In return, Alison-Madueke allegedly used her influence to direct
a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
to award Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) to two shell
companies created by Aluko and Omokore: Atlantic Energy Drilling
Concepts Nigeria Ltd. and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Ltd.
(the Atlantic Companies).

Under the SAAs, the Atlantic Companies were required to finance
the exploration and production operations of eight on-shore oil and
gas blocks. In return for financing these operations, the companies
expected to receive a portion of the oil and gas produced.

However, according to the complaint, the Atlantic Companies
provided only a fraction of the required financing, or in some
instances, failed entirely to provide it. The companies also failed
to meet other obligations under the SAAs, including the payment of
$120 million entry fee.

Yet they were permitted to lift and sell more than $1.5 billion
worth of Nigerian crude oil. The US. government contends that the
Atlantic Companies used a series of shell companies and
intermediaries to launder a portion of the total proceeds of these
arrangements into and through the US.

The US Department of Justice has gone to court seeking the
forfeiture and recovery of approximately $144 million of Nigerian
assets allegedly laundered in and through the United
States.
The department filed a complaint alleging that Nigerian
businessmen, Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Olajide Omokore, conspired
with others to pay bribes to former Minister for Petroleum
Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

In return for these improper benefits, Alison-Madueke allegedly
used her influence to steer lucrative oil contracts to companies
owned by Aluko and Omokore.

The complainants alleged that the proceeds of the illicitly
awarded contracts were subsequently laundered in and through the
US. and used to purchase various assets subject to seizure and
forfeiture, including a $50 million condominium located in one of
Manhattan’s most expensive buildings – 157 W. 57th Street – and the
Galactica Star, an $80 million yacht.

“The United States is not a safe haven for the proceeds of
corruption,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco said.

According to the U.S. government, Aluko, Omokore purchased
millions of dollars in real estate in and around London for
Alison-Madueke and her family members, then renovated and furnished
these homes with millions of dollars in furniture, artwork and
other luxury items purchased at two Houston-area furniture stores
at Alison-Madueke’s directive.

In return, Alison-Madueke allegedly used her influence to direct
a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
to award Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) to two shell
companies created by Aluko and Omokore: Atlantic Energy Drilling
Concepts Nigeria Ltd. and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Ltd.
(the Atlantic Companies).

Under the SAAs, the Atlantic Companies were required to finance
the exploration and production operations of eight on-shore oil and
gas blocks. In return for financing these operations, the companies
expected to receive a portion of the oil and gas produced.

However, according to the complaint, the Atlantic Companies
provided only a fraction of the required financing, or in some
instances, failed entirely to provide it. The companies also failed
to meet other obligations under the SAAs, including the payment of
$120 million entry fee.

Yet they were permitted to lift and sell more than $1.5 billion
worth of Nigerian crude oil. The US. government contends that the
Atlantic Companies used a series of shell companies and
intermediaries to launder a portion of the total proceeds of these
arrangements into and through the US.