A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, permission to amend her suit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s order for the final forfeiture of her seized assets.
Justice Inyang Ekwo approved the request on Monday after her lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, moved the motion, which the EFCC’s counsel, Divine Oguru, did not oppose. The judge directed Alison-Madueke to file and serve the amended process within five days, while the EFCC was given 14 days to respond. The case was adjourned to March 17 for further mention.
The ex-minister, through her senior counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had initially filed the suit(FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023) against the EFCC, seeking an extension of time to challenge the agency’s public notice for the sale of her seized assets.
In her motion dated January 6, 2023, Alison-Madueke argued that the orders granting forfeiture were made without jurisdiction and should be set aside “ex debito justitiaes” a matter of justice). She claimed she was denied a fair hearing and was neither served with any charge sheet nor proof of evidence in the criminal cases against her.
She further alleged that the EFCC misled the courts into granting the forfeiture orders by suppressing and misrepresenting facts.
“The orders were made without recourse to my constitutional right to fair hearing and right to property,” she stated.
However, the EFCC countered her claims, urging the court to dismiss the application. In an affidavit deposed by EFCC detective Rufai Zaki, the agency maintained that Alison-Madueke was implicated in corruption and money laundering and had already been charged in case no. FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018.
The EFCC insisted that the forfeiture orders were issued lawfully, following public notices inviting interested parties to contest the seizures. The commission also stated that a legal representative, Nnamdi Awa Kalu, had appeared on her behalf in at least one forfeiture case.
According to Zaki, the final forfeiture orders were made in 2017 and had not been overturned on appeal. The properties, including real estate and financial assets, were subsequently auctioned in January 2023.
Former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa previously disclosed that the agency had recovered $153 million and over 80 properties from the former minister.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Petroleum Minister between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, has been living in the United Kingdom since leaving office.
This asset-related suit is separate from another lawsuit in which she is seeking ₦100 billion in damages from the EFCC for alleged defamatory publications against her.
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