A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted an application by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to amend her suit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) final forfeiture order on her seized assets.
Justice Inyang Ekwo approved the request after Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, moved the motion, which EFCC counsel Divine Oguru did not oppose.
During the proceedings, Inyinbor informed the court that the motion to amend the originating process had been filed and duly served on the defendant.
Granting the application, Justice Ekwo directed the former minister to file and serve the amended processes within five days, while the EFCC was given 14 days to respond. The case was adjourned to March 17 for further mention.
Alison-Madueke, through her lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is challenging the public sale of her forfeited properties. She contends that the forfeiture orders were issued without jurisdiction and violated her right to a fair hearing, as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The court had initially scheduled November 21, 2024, to hear the motion before granting the amendment request on Monday.
The former minister argues that she was never served with a charge sheet, proof of evidence, or any summons regarding the criminal charges against her. She further claims that the courts were misled into granting the forfeiture orders due to the suppression or non-disclosure of key information.
“The applications that led to the final forfeiture orders were based on serious misstatements, misrepresentations, and concealment of material facts,” she stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the EFCC had secured multiple forfeiture orders against Alison-Madueke’s assets, which were subsequently auctioned by the federal government.
