Court Upholds Diezani’s Appeal Against Forfeiture Order

Diezani’s Forfeiture Challenge: Court Decision Announced

On February 17, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke permission to amend her lawsuit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) final forfeiture order on her seized assets. Justice Inyang Ekwo approved the application after Diezani’s counsel, Godwin Inyinbor, moved the motion, which the EFCC’s lawyer, Divine Oguru, did not oppose. The court has directed Diezani to file and serve the amended processes within five days, while the EFCC has 14 days from the date of service to respond. The case is adjourned until March 17 for further proceedings.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister from 2010 to 2015, has been embroiled in multiple allegations of corruption and financial misconduct. Investigations have implicated her in activities such as conspiracy, official corruption, and money laundering. In 2017, a federal court ordered the final forfeiture of assets linked to her, including $153 million and over 80 properties. These properties have since been disposed of through due legal process.

In her current legal action, Diezani contends that the forfeiture orders were issued without jurisdiction and violated her constitutional right to a fair hearing, as she was not served with the necessary court processes. She argues that the courts were misled into issuing the forfeiture orders due to misrepresentation and concealment of material facts by the EFCC.

The EFCC, however, maintains that the forfeiture orders were lawfully obtained and that Diezani was duly represented in the proceedings leading to the orders. The commission asserts that the properties in question have already been disposed of in accordance with the law.

This development marks a significant step in Diezani’s ongoing legal battle to reclaim her assets, with the next hearing scheduled for March 17, 2025.

For more details, you can watch the following news report: