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U.S. court orders forfeiture of $2.5m mansion linked to NNPC official Paulinus Okoronkwo.
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Judge John Walter rules that funds used in purchase were proceeds of money laundering.
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Asset to be seized and liquidated under U.S. federal forfeiture procedures.
A United States District Court in California has ordered the forfeiture of a $2.5 million luxury mansion belonging to a senior official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPC ), Mr Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, following his conviction for money laundering.
The forfeiture order, signed by Judge John Walter of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on October 3, 2025, directed that Mr Okoronkwo’s property located at 25340 Twin Oaks Place, Valencia, California, be seized and transferred to the U.S. government.
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According to court filings obtained by PulseNets, the property, identified as Tract Number 45433, Lot 12, with Assessor’s Parcel Number 2826-143-004, was among several assets traced to illicit financial transactions in violation of U.S. anti–money laundering laws.
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The judgment revealed that prosecutors successfully established a link between the funds used in purchasing the mansion and illegal monetary transfers, describing it as the “requisite nexus” between Mr Okoronkwo’s criminal activities and the California asset.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Su, who led the forfeiture proceedings, confirmed to PulseNets that the ruling authorises immediate seizure and disposal of the property. “This order ensures that proceeds derived from financial crimes will not remain in private hands,” Su said.
“The government now has full authority to take possession and liquidate the asset under U.S. law.”
The order empowers the U.S. Attorney General to identify, seize, and sell the forfeited property while notifying any third parties who may claim legal interest.
It was gathered that the forfeiture will become final at sentencing, officially forming part of Mr Okoronkwo’s punishment, after which the U.S. government will obtain clear title to the mansion unless contested by legitimate claimants.
The case, United States of America v. Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo (Case No. 2:24-CR-20(A)-JFW), forms part of an ongoing federal probe into international financial crimes involving politically exposed persons from Nigeria and other nations.
