Convicted NNPC Senior Official Forfeits $2.5 Million Los Angeles Mansion to U.S. Government.

Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, a senior official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has forfeited a $2.5 million mansion in Los Angeles, California, to the U.S. government after being convicted of money laundering.

A preliminary forfeiture order issued on October 3, 2025, by Judge John Walter of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, directed that Okoronkwo’s luxury property at 25340 Twin Oaks Place, Valencia be seized and transferred to the government.

According to court documents obtained by Peoples Gazette, the property—identified as Tract No. 45433, Lot 12 (Assessor’s Parcel No. 2826-143-004)—was linked to proceeds from illegal financial transactions in violation of U.S. money-laundering laws.

The ruling followed Okoronkwo’s conviction on three counts of money laundering, as detailed in a superseding indictment by U.S. prosecutors. The court found a “requisite nexus” between the offences and the mansion, making it subject to forfeiture.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Su, who handled the forfeiture motion, confirmed that the government could immediately seize and liquidate the asset under federal forfeiture laws. The U.S. Attorney General was also authorised to notify any third parties with potential claims.

The court ruled that the forfeiture would become final at sentencing, forming part of Okoronkwo’s punishment and granting the U.S. government clear title once all third-party claims are resolved.

The case—United States v. Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo (Case No. 2:24-CR-20(A)-JFW)—is part of a wider U.S. federal probe into international financial crimes involving politically exposed persons from Nigeria and other countries.

Okoronkwo’s case adds to a growing list of Nigerian officials and business executives whose U.S. assets have been seized after being traced to illicit offshore transactions.

How Enugu ponzi scheme operator diverted N91.5m through fake microfinance bank Witness.

A prosecution witness on Friday revealed before the Federal High Court in Enugu how Chinedu Okoronkwo, alleged Ponzi scheme operator, diverted more than N91.5 million from unsuspecting investors through a purported microfinance bank that was neither licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) nor insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

Okoronkwo, alongside his company, Reliance Microfinance Cooperative Society Limited, is standing trial before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo on a 36-count charge bordering on forgery, obtaining money by false pretence, and operating banking activities without a valid licence.

The case is being prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC Spokesman, at Friday’s proceedings, the prosecution presented its ninth witness, Abubakar Abubakar, an operative of the EFCC, who detailed how the defendant used falsified credentials and church connections to lure victims.

According to Abubakar, a letter of enquiry sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed that Reliance Microfinance Cooperative Society Limited was not licensed to operate as a microfinance bank.

He further confirmed that the firm was also not insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), as shown in a letter dated October 25, 2024, admitted in evidence as Exhibit 44.

The EFCC witness explained that Okoronkwo began scouting for investors within his church community, convincing worshippers to put money into what later turned out to be a Ponzi scheme.

“An analysis of the company’s bank statements tendered as exhibits revealed that the firm received N69.85 million through its Guaranty Trust Bank account (No. 0209253844) and an additional N21.7 million through its United Bank for Africa account, all from unsuspecting victims”, the Commission said.

Former NNPCL GM found guilty of taking $2.1M bribe from a Swiss oil company by U.S court.

A U.S. District Court in California has scheduled December 1, 2025, for the sentencing of Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, a former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), who was found guilty of taking a $2.1 million bribe from a Swiss oil firm.

Okoronkwo, 58, was indicted in January 2024 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California. He faced multiple charges, including three counts of unlawful monetary transactions, one count of tax evasion, and one count of obstruction of justice.

According to prosecutors, the former NNPCL official received $2,105,263 in October 2015 from Addax Petroleum, a Swiss subsidiary of Chinese energy giant Sinopec. 

The payment was routed through his Los Angeles law firm and disguised as consultancy fees. The U.S. Department of Justice described it as a bribe aimed at securing favorable drilling rights in Nigeria.

Court documents showed that Addax executives misrepresented the transaction, misled auditors, and even dismissed staff who questioned the deal.

Nearly $1 million of the funds was used by Okoronkwo as a down payment for a home in Valencia, California, while he failed to report the income in his 2015 federal tax filings.

In 2022, during a federal investigation, he further obstructed justice by falsely claiming the money belonged to a client. Following a four-day trial, a jury convicted him on all counts.

Presiding Judge John F. Walter stated that Okoronkwo faces up to 25 years in prison — 10 years each for the unlawful monetary transactions and obstruction of justice, and five years for tax evasion.

Okoronkwo, once a practicing lawyer in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, remains free on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing. He was dismissed by NNPCL in 2024 after his indictment, according to former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad, who confirmed the company had cut ties with him.

Gov. Fintiri Gifts N50m, House to Super Falcons Coach for WAFCON Win.

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has honoured Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu with a three-bedroom bungalow and N50 million for his role in Nigeria’s victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The gesture was announced by the governor’s aide, Pius Iliya, via Facebook, noting that the presentation was made at the Government House in Yola. Madugu, who hails from Adamawa, was praised by Fintiri for leading the team to continental glory.

“Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, on behalf of the Government and people of Adamawa State, has gifted Justine Pwanidi Madugu… a three-bedroom bungalow and N50m for leading the team into winning the 2024 Women African Cup of Nations,” the post read.

The Super Falcons recently secured their 10th WAFCON title in Morocco, extending their record as Africa’s most successful women’s football team.

In a dramatic final, they came from 2–0 down to defeat hosts Morocco 3–2 with second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini. The team went unbeaten in the tournament, scoring 10 goals and conceding only three. Earlier in Abuja, the Falcons received a presidential reception from President Bola Tinubu.

Each player was awarded $100,000, while Madugu and other technical crew members got $50,000, national honours (OON), and three-bedroom homes. Governor Fintiri’s personal reward adds to the outpouring of national appreciation for the team’s remarkable performance.

"When did I talk this one?" - Super Falcons star, Esther Okoronkwo, reacts to a viral post about herself. @

Super Falcons Stage Stunning Comeback To Win 10th WAFCON

Nigeria’s Super Falcons pulled off a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco on Saturday to clinch their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.

Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the Falcons roared back in the second half with goals from Jennifer Okoronkwo, Ijamilusi Folashade, and a late winner by Toni Payne Echegini. The win completes “Mission X,” as dubbed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and avenges their 2024 semi-final loss to Morocco.

The final was played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with Nigeria reaffirming their dominance in African women’s football.#SuperFalcons #WAFCON2025 #WAFCONFinal #NigeriaVsMorocco

Queens of the Continent! Ajibade, Nnadozie & Okoronkwo Shine Bright as Super Falcons Soar to 10th WAFCON Title

It wasn’t just a team triumph — it was a night of individual brilliance!
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, aka "The Girl with the Blue Hair", dazzled with leadership and creativity, earning multiple Woman of the Match awards and a place in the Team of the Group Stage.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie stood tall between the sticks, claiming the Best Goalkeeper of WAFCON 2024 title for her stellar performances.

And Esther Okoronkwo? Ice-cold under pressure. She scored the comeback-sparking penalty and assisted the winner — rightly crowned Player of the Match in the final.

Nigeria doesn’t just win — we dominate!


#SuperFalcons #WAFCON2024 #Ajibade #Nnadozie #Okoronkwo #NaijaQueens #NaijaNoDeyCarryLast #WomenInFootball

WAFCON Final Showdown: Spain’s World Cup-Winning Coach Vows to Crush Nigeria’s 10th Title Dream


History is on the line as Morocco’s head coach Jorge Vilda—the mastermind behind Spain’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup victory—declares his Atlas Lionesses are mentally ready to deny Nigeria a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.

Vilda, now aiming to deliver Morocco’s first-ever WAFCON crown, expressed unwavering confidence during a press briefing:

> “They are a psychologically strong team… we never give up. These players are champions in every sense.”

After falling short in the 2022 final, Morocco now returns hungrier, sharper, and backed by a home crowd at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat. But standing tall in their path is a red-hot Nigerian Super Falcons side, who’ve netted 11 goals and conceded only once all tournament.

Powered by stars like Rasheedat Ajibade, Esther Okoronkwo, and Toni Payne, Nigeria is determined to defend their legacy and reaffirm their place at the pinnacle of African women’s football.

A Moroccan victory would make Vilda the first coach in history to win both a Women’s World Cup and a WAFCON title.

All roads lead to Rabat this Saturday. It's Africa's biggest women's football battle yet.

#WAFCON2025 #NigeriaVsMorocco #SuperFalcons