Diezani Alison-Madueke vs. EFCC: Legal Battle Over Seized Properties
By NIGPOST News Desk
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to halt the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from selling off her seized assets.
Through her legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Diezani also requested that the court compel the EFCC to retrieve any properties already auctioned to private individuals or companies.
Diezani’s Claims: “I Was Denied Fair Hearing”
In her submission, Diezani argued that the EFCC acted in violation of her fundamental right to a fair hearing.
She claimed that the agency issued a public auction notice in 2023 and proceeded to sell assets linked to her without giving her the opportunity to defend herself.
She further alleged that the forfeiture orders were obtained by the EFCC through misrepresentation and concealment of facts.
“The several applications upon which the courts made the final order of forfeiture against the Applicant were obtained upon gross misstatements, misrepresentations, non-disclosure, concealment, and suppression of material facts,” her legal team stated.
The former minister also asserted that she was never served any criminal charges, proof of evidence, or court summons.
EFCC’s Defense: “All Properties Were Forfeited Legally”
The EFCC, in a counter-affidavit, dismissed Diezani’s claims, stating that her assets were legally forfeited after extensive investigations into her tenure as petroleum minister.
The anti-graft agency noted that:
- Criminal proceedings were initiated against Diezani in multiple courts, including case FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018 (filed in November 2018) and HC/ADYL/56c/2017 (filed in Adamawa State in July 2017).
- The final forfeiture orders were granted by Justice C.A. Obiozor on July 9, 2019, and Justice I. N. Oweibo on September 10, 2019.
- Public notices were issued before the sale of the properties, inviting any interested parties to contest the forfeiture. “The final forfeiture orders pursuant to which the sale of the properties was conducted are still in force and have not been set aside,” the EFCC stated.
Court Adjourns Case to March 27
During the latest hearing, Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Iyibor, requested more time to respond to the EFCC’s counter-affidavit, which he claimed was only served on him on March 14.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, while granting the request, warned that the case—pending since 2023—must proceed without further delays. The next hearing is set for March 27, 2025.
Diezani’s N100 Billion Defamation Suit Against EFCC
Apart from fighting for her assets, Diezani has also filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against the EFCC. She claims that the agency deliberately painted her as a “treasury looter” in media publications, leading to public ridicule.
What’s Next?
As the legal battle continues, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and asset recovery policies.
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