Seized Assets: Ex-petroleum minister seeks to amend suit against EFCC
Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has officially filed a motion to amend her lawsuit contesting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) order for the final forfeiture of her assets.
This step follows a ruling by Mobolaji Olajuwon, a judge at the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja, who ordered the final forfeiture of Alison-Madueke’s properties, which include homes and vehicles in Abuja, back in October 2022.
Her amended lawsuit is now under the purview of Inyang Ekwo at the FHC, Abuja. During the latest hearing, the EFCC was notably absent. Judge Ekwo inquired whether Alison-Madueke’s counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, had received any documentation from the EFCC, to which Iyinbor confirmed receipt.
READ ALSO: Ex-Petroleum Minister Diezani’s suit to reclaim seized assets faces setback
Iyinbor also informed the court that they had submitted a motion to amend their case, and that the EFCC had been properly notified. Consequently, Judge Ekwo adjourned the proceedings and scheduled a hearing for the motion on February 17, 2025.
In her legal arguments, the ex-minister seeks to extend the timeline for appealing the EFCC’s public notice regarding the auction of her properties, asserting that she was denied a fair hearing during the earlier proceedings.
At the previous session, her attorney, Mike Ozekhome, indicated that she had initiated legal action against the EFCC, aiming to extend the appeal period concerning the asset forfeiture.
The motion, dated January 6, 2023, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, argues that the court orders were issued without appropriate jurisdiction and requests five orders from the court, including the annulment of the EFCC’s public notice for the asset sale.
However, the EFCC disputed her claims, stating that most of the allegations in her suit were untrue.
The EFCC urged the court to dismiss her application.
Rufai Zaki, the detective handling the case, claimed the ex-minister was involved in criminal activities, prompting charges in 2018.
Zaki said Alison-Madueke’s lawsuit contained false claims, contradicting her affidavit.
He argued that the cases leading to the final forfeiture of her assets were heard and determined by the court at various times, labelling her assertions as untrue.
The EFCC had obtained orders for the final forfeiture of her properties, including Abuja homes and cars, valued at $2.5 million, and also traced over $2 billion and $487.5 million in cash and properties linked to her.
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