The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has clarified that a US district court did not authorise the seizure of Nigeria’s $21 million.
There were reports in August 2023 that UK/US courts authorized an SSS victim Williams Emovbira to seize $21 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account with JP Morgan in New York.
In a statement signed by the AGF on Wednesday described the reports as “inaccurate” while clarifying that the court only refused Nigeria’s preliminary motion to dismiss the complaint against her on the ground of sovereign immunity.
“The implication of the decision rendered on 12 August 2024 is that the case would now proceed to substantive hearing on the merit wherein parties are required to present evidence and legal submissions in support of their case before the court will issue a final decision,” he said.
“It is pertinent to state that Nigeria has filed an appeal against the interlocutory decision in issue,” he added.
He said Nigeria is confident that the robust defences it has launched in both the UK and US court, including a fraud allegation would succeed.