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 la¥ndering.
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-la¥ndering 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.
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