$21 million seized from Nigeria's former oil minister Alison Madueke

A Nigerian court has seized $21m from bank accounts linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former oil minister who faces corruption allegations.

Abdulazeez Anka, federal high court judge, ordered on Monday the immediate forfeiture of the sum allegedly held in local bank accounts by Alison-Madueke, who was once one of Africa's most prominent female politicians.

Nigeria's anti-graft Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accuses Alison-Madueke of corruption, argued in the Lagos court that she had illicitly laundered the funds with the help of top oil officials.

Since leaving office in 2015, Alison-Madueke has been implicated in bribery, fraud, misuse of public funds and money laundering cases in Nigeria, Britain, Italy and the United States.

Alison-Madueke - the former president of the global oil cartel OPEC, and the first woman to hold the post - has always denied the allegations which involve billions of dollars syphoned from oil deals and state accounts.

Monday's ruling followed two applications by the EFCC which earlier this month successfully seized properties worth $44m that Alison-Madueke allegedly purchased with the proceeds of corruption.

The court had also ordered an interim forfeiture of 56 houses linked to the former minister valued at $9m.

Nigeria is reeling from a series of corruption scandals by top officials.

Earlier in April, the EFCC uncovered $43m worth of cash during an apartment raid in Lagos.

After the discovery, Nigeria's National Intelligence Agency (NIA) claimed the money belonged to the organisation, prompting President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend its head, Ayodele Oke

Also suspended and under investigation is Lawal Babachir, Buhari's secretary and longtime ally, following his indictment by the legislature for an alleged 200 million naira ($635,000) scam.

Al Jazeera

Video - Nigeria up for tough contest against Indomitable Lions

The Nigerian Super Eagles will take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a double header for a place in next's world cup in Russia. The first leg comes up Friday, September 1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, south of Nigeria while the return leg takes place three days later in Yaounde, Cameroon. A win for Nigeria will all but secure the country's place in the world cup.

Alex Iwobi ruled of World Cup qualifier due to injury

Nigeria have suffered a blow ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cameroon in Uyo on Friday, after Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi withdrew from the squad with a thigh muscle strain.

The 21-year-old will also miss the away leg against African champions Cameroon in Yaounde on 4 September, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Iwobi was due to join the Super Eagles training camp on Monday after Arsenal's Premier League game at Liverpool on Sunday.

Iwobi, the nephew of legendary Nigeria star Jay-Jay Okocha, had played in Nigeria's first two World Cup qualifiers against Zambia and Algeria, scoring in a 2-1 win in Zambia in October last year.

He has been replaced in Nigeria's squad by CSKA Moscow striker Aaron Samuel, who was placed on standby last week.

Samuel made the last of seven international appearances two years ago.

BBC

Video - Boko haram torch newly renovated hospital, houses in Nigeria

Militant group Boko Haram has burnt down a newly renovated hospital and several houses in Adamawa State in north-eastern Nigeria. That's according to the local government. are no reports of casualties, as residents reportedly fled when they saw the attackers approaching. It's the latest in a string of recent attacks in north-eastern Nigeria. And suggests that despite the army's confidence it has driven Boko Haram out of Nigeria, this is not the case. During its insurgency, the group has killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions from their homes. It's also come at a massive economic cost for Nigeria. Some estimates place the damage Boko Haram has caused to property at more than $5.2 B in eight years.

Video - Nigerian president cancels first Cabinet meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled his first Cabinet meeting. No reason's been given. Buhari is currently working from home in Abuja. He'll be doing so for the next three months. Presidential spokesperson Malam Garba Shehu says Buhari's office has a rodent problem. The president returned home over the weekend after spending three months in London, being treated for an undisclosed illness. On Monday, Buhari gave his first address to the country, but made no reference to his health.