Former Senator representing Plateau South Senattorial district, Jeremiah Useni is to forfeit the sum of £1.9 millon found hidden in bank accounts on the Island of Jersey.
According to reports by Premium Times, the said account was allegedly opened by Useni in 1986 using the name Tim Shani.
However, a probe in 2006 by the Nigeria’s National Security Adviser under the regime of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo indicted him as the owner of the illegal account.
In 2001, The Standard Chartered Bank of Jersey reportedly wrote Useni inline with a newly established anti-money regulations that required him to submit a certified copy of his passport.
Responding six month later, Senator Useni confirmed to represent himself as Mr Shani and requested the fund be transferred to a Nigerian bank account but the request was rejected.
“1n 2003, the account was frozen and after four years of trying to unfreeze the account, he finally admitted ownership of the money in 2007.
“He said he was into Transport and Hospitality, Petrol business, Personal Saving and Property.
“The court however said he did not provide information about his income between 1980-1990, While the Jersey’s Attorney General argued that the Shani accounts were created to hold, hide and conceal bribes or other means of corruption by him during the time he was in office”. the report said.
