London Property Recovery

The first civil action taken by the Federal Republic of Nigeria against Mr. Dariye was against a London property asset, specifically the property "Flat 28, Regents Plaza Apartments, 8 Greville Road, London NW6 DHU, title number NGL 739442."

In his statement to Metropolitan Police after his arrest in September 2004, Dariye claimed that he rented the apartment, thought to be purchased with illicit funds, from his friend "Joseph Dagwan." However, Dariye could not provide a means for the Metropolitan Police to contact Mr. Dagwan. After Mr. Dariye fled to Nigeria, the Metropolitan Police began confiscation proceedings but immediately cooperated with the Federal Republic of Nigeria request to return Dariye's assets victim of his corrupt acts. A Particulars of Claim was made against Mr. Dagwan in the United Kingdom High Court of Chancery with Mr. Dariye also being included in the proceedings.  

Not surprisingly, the fictitious Mr. Dagwan never showed up and shortly before summary judgement was to be made, Dariye admitted that there was no Mr. Dagwan and that his solicitors had made an error when registering the property. 

The Court then allowed Mr. Dariye to give his defence to show that the assets used to purchase the Regents Plaza property were from legitimate sources, but after review the Court deemed his defense statement unsatisfactory.

After the Court rejected Mr. Dariye second defense attempt, the Court property was judged to be the property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that it be confiscated.