Nigeria debunks report of $21m seizure by US court, calls out media outlets

Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has categorically denied reports that a US District Court authorized the seizure of $21 million from Nigeria’s JP Morgan account.

The Ministry of Justice, on Wednesday, issued a statement signed by AGF Fagbemi debunking the “inaccurate publications” some media outlets, emphasizing that the US District Court never authorized such a seizure.

“The ministry wishes to set the record straight regarding an inaccurate publication by Peoples Gazette and others alleging that a US District Court has authorised a certain Louis E. Williams to seize $21m from Nigeria’s account with JP Morgan.

“We wish to note from the report follows similarly inaccurate publications by Peoples Gazette on August 21, 2023, under the cover: ‘UK Court authorises SSS victim Williams Emovbira to seize $21 million from CBN account with JP Morgan in New York’.

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“The ministry wishes to set the record straight… None of the media outlets that syndicated the story sought the reaction of the Nigerian government,” the statement read. Fagbemi challenged these outlets to produce a copy of the alleged US court order.

At the center of the controversy is British-Nigerian businessman Williams Emovbira, who claims to have been abused and defrauded by Nigeria’s domestic intelligence office in the 1980s. Emovbira is seeking $21 million in damages from Nigeria’s JP Morgan account.

However, the Justice Ministry clarified that the US District Court’s decision on August 21, 2024, merely allowed the case to proceed to a substantive hearing, not authorizing any fund seizure. “Nigeria has filed an appeal against the interlocutory decision… and remains confident and optimistic that his attempts to strong-arm the Nigerian government will come to nought.”

Key Points:

– No Seizure Authorized: US District Court did not authorize the seizure of Nigerian government funds.
– Case to Proceed: The court’s decision allows the case to proceed to a substantive hearing.
– Nigeria’s Appeal: The country has filed an appeal against the interlocutory decision.
– Robust Legal Defenses: Nigeria has launched challenges in UK and US courts against Williams’ claims.

The development highlights the ongoing legal battle between Nigeria and Emovbira, with significant implications for the country’s foreign assets.

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