A U.S. federal judge has ordered the FBI to return approximately $6 million to the Nigerian government, funds seized from convicted arms dealer Ara Dolarian.
Judge Jennifer L. Thurston of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California issued the ruling, concluding a lengthy legal battle.
The money was originally sent by Nigeria in 2015 to purchase weapons during the Boko Haram insurgency and election-related tensions, but Dolarian diverted the funds for personal expenses.
Nigerian attorney Jovi Usude successfully argued that the funds, which had been misused by Dolarian, belonged to the Nigerian government and should be returned. Judge Thurston acknowledged Nigeria’s 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 case traces back to a 2015 arms deal arranged by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and former Army Chief Sambo Dasuki. To bypass a U.S. arms embargo, Nigeria contracted Dolarian, who lacked the proper licensing for such transactions. Of the $8.6 million initially sent, over $1 million was misused by Dolarian for personal luxuries, leading to FBI intervention.
Dolarian pleaded guilty to charges of illegal arms dealing and money laundering in 2019, forfeiting his claim to the remaining $6.1 million. This ruling marks a significant victory for Nigeria in its efforts to recover misappropriated funds on the global stage.
