Nigerian energy businessman Kolawole ‘Kola’ Aluko, 48, was the owner of Apartment 79, a penthouse apartment in One57 which is now up for sale for $39million
A luxurious Manhattan apartment previously owned by an on-the-run Nigerian billionaire is up for sale for $11million less than he bought it for.
Disgraced Nigerian energy businessman Kolawole ‘Kola’ Aluko, 48, bought Apartment 79 in the One57 building in 2014 for $51.9million.
And now as he tries to evade authorities – the penthouse apartment is now up for sale for just $39.9million.
The seller is apparently anxious to get rid of the property – as it is listed by a ‘MOTIVATED SELLER!!!’
The property was supposed to be sold at a foreclosure auction in July.
However, that sale fell through for an unknown reason and it has now been put back on the market by a ‘motivated seller’.
The 6,240 square foot apartment is described as a four bed, four-and-a-half bathroom penthouse with stunning views of Central Park, the Hudson and East rivers, the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty.
It is described as a ‘once in a lifetime investment opportunity’ as it’s the ‘last remaining full floor residence at Manhattan’s New Crown Jewel, One 57 Condominium.
![The 79th floor penthouse of the One57 apartment building in Manhattan is up for sale by a 'motivated seller'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/26/14/41C66B0000000578-4639932-image-a-24_1498484895177.jpg)
The 79th floor penthouse of the One57 apartment building in Manhattan is up for sale by a ‘motivated seller’
![The 6,420-square-foot unit, which used to belong to disgraced Nigerian billionaire Kolawole 'Kola' Aluko, has four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/26/15/41C6F13300000578-4639932-image-a-2_1498488288785.jpg)
The 6,420-square-foot unit, which used to belong to disgraced Nigerian billionaire Kolawole ‘Kola’ Aluko, has four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms
![The owner of the apartment bought it for $51.9million in December 2014, but quickly had to take out a loan to pay the apartment off](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/26/15/41C6F15300000578-4639932-image-a-5_1498488301407.jpg)
The owner of the apartment bought it for $51.9million in December 2014, but quickly had to take out a loan to pay the apartment off
![Above, the kitchen in the 79th floor apartment of One57. The apartment is described as a 'once in a lifetime investment opportunity'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/26/15/41C6F12700000578-4639932-image-a-16_1498488343001.jpg)
Above, the kitchen in the 79th floor apartment of One57. The apartment is described as a ‘once in a lifetime investment opportunity’
![Even the bathrooms inside apartment 79 have amazing views of the city. It is the last available full-floor residence at the One57 complex](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/26/15/41C6F14B00000578-4639932-image-a-12_1498488322953.jpg)
Even the bathrooms inside apartment 79 have amazing views of the city. It is the last available full-floor residence at the One57 complex
Aluko bought the sprawling penthouse for $51.9million in 2014, but in less than a year later however he was forced to take out a $35.5million mortgage from Banque Havilland in Luxembourg to help pay for the apartment.
When the owner failed to pay the loan back a year later, the bank took possession of the 6,420-square-foot apartment, according to court documents.
‘The home was in foreclosure, but it is now being sold by a third party as an alternative to foreclosure,’ a source close to the property told the New York Post.
The source also said Compass broker Ali H Jafri is handling the sale, and that Aluko isn’t involved.
Aluko has been accused of making money by bribing Nigeria’s oil minister – Diezani Alison-Madueke – in a $1.76billion dollar scheme to defraud the country’s oil sale profits.
The justice department lawsuit claims that Aluko and one other laundered money by purchasing $144million in properties – including the penthouse and yatch, where he is thought to be hiding out to evade arrest.
The 213-foot Galactica Star is worth $80million, as he is under investigation for alleged money-laundering crimes in Nigeria and Europe.
Beyonce and Jay Z rented that same yacht in 2015 for $900,000 a week.
Aluko is currently under investigation for alleged money-laundering crimes in Nigeria and Europe.
He was last seen in Hong Kong and May and his yacht is currently in the Bahamas.
In 2014 a Nigerian court tried to freeze his assets – including the jaw-dropping penthouse, but never found him to serve papers.
![One57 was the tallest residential building in New York for a few months, before the completion of nearby 432 Park Avenue](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/26/14/41C686B000000578-4639932-image-a-25_1498484897175.jpg)
One57 was the tallest residential building in New York for a few months, before the completion of nearby 432 Park Avenue
![Aluko, right, is friends with stars including actor Jamie Foxx, left, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay Z and Beyoncé. Aluko and Foxx are pictured in 2013](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/27/06/41CB350800000578-4642282-image-a-138_1498542399737.jpg)
Aluko, right, is friends with stars including actor Jamie Foxx, left, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay Z and Beyoncé. Aluko and Foxx are pictured in 2013
![Not a worry in the world: Aluko was spotted in Hong Kong earlier this year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/27/13/41CE4B5A00000578-4642282-image-m-3_1498568338856.jpg)
Not a worry in the world: Aluko was spotted in Hong Kong earlier this year
The businessman who once dated Naomi Campbell is also close friends with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx.
Aluko made a large donation to DiCaprio’s environmental charity and even attended the actor’s birthday party in New York City in 2013.
The energy tycoon sold a 2.4-acre estate in Montecito, California, to Gwyneth Paltrow for an undermarket $4.9million.
In 2012, he bought an 11,478-square-foot house in Bel Air for $24.5 million, then sold the property in 2016 for $21.5 million.
One57 was built by Extell Development Co. and was the tallest residential building in Manhattan until 432 Park Ave was completed a few months later. It is also one of the city’s most expensive residential apartment buildings.
Construction started on the building in 2009 and finished in 2014, creating a trend of similar ultra-luxury high-rises on 57th street which has now been coined ‘Billionaire’s Row’.
The bottom floors of the building are now the flagship location of the Park Hyatt Hotel. The residences have a separate entrance to the building.
Amenities include a 24-hour doorman and concierge, fitness center, yoga studio, private dining room, catering kitchen, library, valet service and on-site parking.
![Aluko rented the Galactica Star to Jay Z and Beyoncé, pictured leaving the yacht in 2013, for $900,000 a week](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/06/27/07/41CB430600000578-4642282-image-a-156_1498543468142.jpg)
Aluko rented the Galactica Star to Jay Z and Beyoncé, pictured leaving the yacht in 2013, for $900,000 a week