Diezani Requests Modification Of Lawsuit Against EFCC Over Asset Forfeiture

Diezani Requests Modification Of Lawsuit Against EFCC Over Asset ForfeitureFormer Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke appeared in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, seeking to amend her lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the final forfeiture of her seized assets.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Represented by her counsel, Godwin Iyinbor of Prof. Mike Ozekhome’s chambers, Alison-Madueke informed the court that they had received documents from the EFCC and filed a further affidavit in response. The lawyer also submitted a motion to amend their processes, confirming that the commission had been properly served.

The hearing, initially set for October 7, 2024, was postponed to November 21, 2024, as the presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, was attending a seminar at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.

Diezani, through her legal representative, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, had filed the original suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, on January 6, 2023. In it, she sought a court order to extend the time to apply for an order to set aside a public notice issued by the EFCC for the sale of her property. She argued that the orders leading to the forfeiture were made without jurisdiction and should be annulled, as she was neither served with the charge sheet nor informed of the criminal charges against her. Diezani contended that the courts had been misled into issuing the forfeiture orders due to the suppression of key facts.

She further claimed that the final forfeiture orders were obtained through misstatements and concealment of material facts, and that these orders violated her constitutional right to a fair hearing and to property. Diezani emphasized that she was never properly notified of the proceedings that led to the forfeiture.

In response, the EFCC, through its detective, Mr. Rufai Zaki, opposed her application. Zaki stated that the investigation clearly showed Diezani’s involvement in criminal activities, including conspiracy, official corruption, and money laundering. He disputed her claims, pointing to the court records which showed that the forfeiture actions were based on proceedings conducted in rem and had been duly determined by the court.

Zaki also referenced a ruling by Justice I.L.N. Oweibo on September 10, 2019, in relation to one of the forfeiture applications, and maintained that the final forfeiture order was issued in 2017 and upheld by the courts.

The EFCC further revealed that over $153 million and more than 80 properties had been recovered from Diezani. The former minister, who served as Petroleum Minister from 2010 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan, is alleged to have fled to the United Kingdom after leaving office.

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