Legal Tussle: Diezani’s Suit Against EFCC Pushed to the 7th of December

The Federal High Court in Abuja rescheduled the hearing of Diezani’s lawsuit, Nigeria’s former petroleum minister On Monday. Diezani Alison-Madueke is contesting the final forfeiture orders issued by the EFCC regarding her confiscated assets. 

The scheduled hearing was hindered due to the absence of the overseeing judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, pushing the case to December 7 for reconsideration.

Diezani Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Following her tenure, she reportedly fled to the UK and has remained there since.

How Diezani filed the suit

In her legal challenge, Diezani Alison-Madueke is requesting an extension for the time allowed to ask the court to overturn the EFCC’s notice intending to publicly auction her assets. Her lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, filed the motion on her behalf on January 6, seeking five specific directives from the court. 

 The ex-minister claims that the court orders, which favor the EFCC, were issued without proper jurisdiction and should be annulled. She further contends that her right to a fair trial was violated during the processes that led to these orders.

Previously, on June 21, Justice Ekwo had set the date for the case’s hearing to Monday, October 23. Both Alison-Madueke’s attorney, Benson Igbanoi, and the EFCC’s representative, M.D. Baraya had sorted their documents pertaining to the case.

EFCC might confiscate Diezani’s asset

The EFCC had intentions of publicly auctioning the confiscated assets, identified as proceeds from unlawful activities. This was in line with court directives to permanently transfer these assets to the Federal Government. The auction began on January 9, and it is believed to encompass properties owned by Alison-Madueke.

Former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa disclosed that the agency reclaimed $153 million and more than 80 properties from Alison-Madueke during their investigations.