The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has refuted claims that a United States District Court authorized the seizure of $21 million from Nigeria’s JP Morgan account. This clarification came in response to reports initially circulated by online media outlets, including Peoples Gazette, which the Ministry of Justice deemed inaccurate.
In a statement released on Wednesday, signed by the AGF, the Ministry emphasized that no such order was made by any US court, criticizing the reports for failing to verify their claims with the Ministry. The AGF called on the media to provide evidence of any court order authorizing the alleged seizure.
“The ministry wishes to set the record straight regarding an inaccurate publication by Peoples Gazette and others, alleging that a US District Court authorized a certain Louis E. Williams to seize $21 million from Nigeria’s account with JP Morgan. None of the media outlets that syndicated the story sought the reaction of the Nigerian government,” the statement read.
The AGF further clarified that while Nigeria’s preliminary motion to dismiss the case on sovereign immunity grounds was rejected, the case has not proceeded to a substantive ruling. The Ministry stressed that the August 21, 2024, court decision only allowed the case to move forward for a substantive hearing, where both parties will present their arguments.
A British-Nigerian businessman, Williams Emovbira, had filed a claim for $21 million in damages, alleging that he was abused and defrauded by Nigerian authorities in the 1980s. However, the Nigerian government remains confident in its defense and has filed an appeal against the interlocutory decision.
“Nigeria has launched robust legal defenses in both UK and US courts against Williams’ claims, including proceedings against him for fraud,” the statement noted. The government expressed optimism that it would ultimately prevail in the case.
This clarification aims to dispel the false reports and reassure the public that no Nigerian government funds have been seized.
