Former Petroleum Minister in Nigeria, Diezani Alison-Madueke has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from selling her seized properties.
Represented by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Diezani also requested the court to direct the EFCC to retrieve any properties already sold to individuals or companies, arguing that the forfeiture orders were obtained through misrepresentation and concealment of facts.
She claimed that:
The EFCC acted without giving her a fair hearing.
She was never charged or served with court summons.
The courts that issued the forfeiture orders lacked jurisdiction.
No court has convicted her of any unlawful activity.
Diezani, who has been outside Nigeria since 2015 for medical treatment, stated that she was unaware of the forfeiture proceedings due to her absence and lack of access to Nigerian newspapers.
EFCC’s Response
The EFCC countered, stating that:
The sale of the properties followed final forfeiture orders from Justice C.A. Obiozor (July 9, 2019) and Justice I.N. Oweibo (September 10, 2019).
Public notices were published before the properties were forfeited.
Diezani has been facing criminal proceedings since 2017 and 2018 in various courts.
At Monday’s hearing, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case to March 27 for a definite hearing, warning that the court will not accept further delays.
Diezani has also filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against the EFCC, accusing it of tarnishing her reputation.
