A U.S. federal judge has directed the FBI to transfer approximately $6 million, seized from convicted American arms dealer Ara Dolarian, to the Nigerian government.
Judge Jennifer L. Thurston of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California issued the ruling, bringing closure to a years-long legal dispute.
The funds, initially transferred by Nigeria in 2015 to procure weapons amid the Boko Haram insurgency and election-related tensions, were misused by Dolarian for personal luxury expenses.
Nigerian attorney Jovi Usude successfully petitioned the court to recognize the funds as Nigerian government assets, arguing that the payment was intended for arms procurement and that Nigeria was unaware of any U.S. legal violations.
In her December 19, 2024 ruling, Judge Thurston emphasized Nigeria’s rightful claim, stating, “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.”
The legal saga dates back to a 2015 deal orchestrated under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and then-Army Chief Sambo Dasuki.
Nigeria sought to bypass a U.S. arms embargo by contracting Dolarian, who lacked proper licensing for arms trade.
While $8.6 million was initially sent for weapons purchases, Dolarian squandered over $1 million on luxury items, prompting FBI intervention.
Following his guilty plea to charges of illegal arms dealing and money laundering in 2019, Dolarian forfeited his claim to the remaining $6.1 million.
The case marks a significant victory for Nigeria in its ongoing efforts to recover misappropriated assets on the international stage.
