A Federal High Court in Abuja has taken a pivotal step in the long-running legal battle between former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo granted her request to amend her suit, challenging the EFCC’s final forfeiture order on her seized assets.
Alison-Madueke, who has been at the center of one of Nigeria’s most high-profile corruption cases, claims she was denied a fair hearing before the EFCC secured court orders to permanently confiscate her assets.
Her legal team, led by Godwin Inyinbor, moved to amend her suit, a motion the EFCC’s lawyer, Divine Oguru, did not oppose. Justice Ekwo approved the amendment and gave Diezani five days to file her updated arguments, while the EFCC has 14 days to respond. The case was adjourned until March 17 for further proceedings.
This decision comes after Alison-Madueke’s original suit, filed through Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), sought to nullify the EFCC’s public notice that announced plans to auction her property. She argued that the orders leading to her assets’ forfeiture were obtained without jurisdiction and should be set aside as a matter of justice.
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The EFCC, however, insists the forfeiture was lawful. In a counter-affidavit deposed by Rufai Zaki, a detective with the commission, the agency argued that Alison-Madueke was deeply implicated in criminal conspiracy, corruption, and money laundering.
According to Zaki, she was officially charged in 2018 under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018. He dismissed her claims of unfair treatment, asserting that:
- The court followed due process, issuing public notices asking interested parties to challenge the forfeiture.
- The final forfeiture of her assets was legally approved in 2017 and has not been overturned on appeal.
- The properties in question have already been auctioned through a legally sanctioned process.
Alison-Madueke’s troubles began during the anti-corruption drive under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The EFCC, under its then-chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, claimed to have recovered $153 million and over 80 properties linked to the former minister. These assets, allegedly acquired with illicit funds, were confiscated and slated for public auction beginning January 9, 2023.
Despite her legal efforts, the EFCC maintains that Alison-Madueke was given every opportunity to contest the forfeiture but failed to do so. The commission also pointed out that one Nnamdi Awa Kalu represented her in at least one forfeiture hearing, contradicting her claims that she was never served court papers.
Beyond fighting for her assets, Alison-Madueke is also suing the EFCC for N100 billion in damages, accusing the agency of defamation. She claims that multiple publications labeling her a fugitive and a corrupt official have destroyed her reputation.
Currently residing in the United Kingdom, the former minister has not returned to Nigeria since leaving office in 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. While the EFCC has sought her extradition, she has yet to face trial in Nigeria.
