Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, a senior executive at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has forfeited a $2.5 million mansion in Los Angeles, California, to the United States government following his conviction on money laundering charges.
A preliminary forfeiture order, signed on October 3, 2025, by Judge John Walter of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, directs that Okoronkwo’s ownership rights in the luxury property at 25340 Twin Oaks Place, Valencia, California, be transferred to the U.S. government.
Court documents indicate that the property, identified as Tract Number 45433, Lot 12, Assessor’s Parcel Number 2826-143-004, was purchased with proceeds linked to illegal financial transactions that violated U.S. money laundering statutes.
The forfeiture follows Okoronkwo’s conviction on three counts of money laundering under a superseding indictment filed by U.S. prosecutors. The court determined that there was a clear “requisite nexus” between the offences and the California property, rendering it subject to seizure.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Su, who presented the government’s motion, said the agency had the authority to seize the asset immediately and proceed with its disposal under federal forfeiture law.
READ ALSO: FAAC Distributes N2.103Tr Revenue for September 2025 to Federal, State, LGs
The order also authorises the U.S. Attorney General to identify and liquidate the property, while ensuring notice is given to any third parties with potential claims.
The forfeiture will become final upon sentencing, forming part of Okoronkwo’s punishment, and empowers the U.S. government to obtain “clear title” to the mansion once any third-party claims are resolved, or if none are filed.
The case—United States of America v. Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo (Case No. 2:24-CR-20(A)-JFW)—is part of an ongoing federal investigation into international financial crimes linked to politically exposed persons from Nigeria and other countries.
Okoronkwo’s forfeiture adds to a growing list of Nigerian officials and corporate executives whose U.S. properties have been seized after being traced to illicit funds moved through complex offshore transactions.
