The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States
Government have sold off a 65-metre Galactica Star super yacht
worth $42m (N15.1bn) belonging to oil magnate Kola Aluko, who was
accused of cheating Nigeria out of almost $1.8bn (N648bn) in
siphoned crude oil sales.
Although the yacht was priced at $42m, it could not be confirmed
the exact amount that the vessel was sold.
Aluko, who is an ally of a former Minister of Petroleum
Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been on the radar of
anti-graft agencies for the last four years.
According to Yacht Harbour, the yacht, which was custom-built by
Dutch yard Heesen in 2013, is the second largest ever built by
Heesen
The vessel, which was sold on July 25, 2019, features exterior
styling by Omega Architects, engineering by Van Oossanen &
Associates, finished by interiors from the boards of Bannenberg
& Rowell.
The report reads in part, “In April 2019, the vessel was offered
for sale in a sealed bid arrangement proposed by the US Department
of Justice and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and approved by US
federal court. The sale process roots back to corruption case
against two Nigerian nationals.”
The US government had accused Aluko and another oil businessman,
Jide Omokore, of laundering money in the US and using it to acquire
the yacht, among other assets.
The report adds, “The US and Nigerian governments received
Federal Court approval to sell the arrested super yacht due to high
maintenance and dockage fees, estimating the combined cost at
around $170,000 per month. Managed by Fraser, the vessel was listed
at $42m.”
Galactica Star accommodates up to 12 guests overnight in six
cabins, comprising a master suite, one VIP stateroom, and four
double cabins.
It is also capable of carrying up to 13 crew members onboard to
ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.
The yacht used to be popular for charter among celebrities. It
was once rented by American music industry power couple, Jay Z and
Beyonce for a holiday cruise.