A Federal High Court in Nigeria has ordered the permanent forfeiture of the 2,149 pieces of jewellery and a customised gold iPhone, valued at $40m belonging to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The court presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo in Lagos on September 10th ordered the seizure of the items recovered from the Abuja home of embattled ex minister.

Delivering judgement in a petition filed by Diezani challenging the EFCC's authority to seize her jewelries, Justice Oweibo held that the former Minister through her counsel, Awa Kalu (SAN) failed to show cause why the items should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in July this year, seized the luxury items which it believes are proceeds from ''unlawful activities''.

The antigraft agency told the court that the items were beyond Madueke's legitimate means.