The Federal High Court in Abuja has set May 29 as the hearing date for the preliminary objection filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a suit by former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Alison-Madueke is seeking to reclaim her forfeited assets, which were sold by the EFCC following a public auction.
The EFCC argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter, citing Alison-Madueke’s failure to serve a pre-action notice on the commission prior to initiating the suit.
The anti-corruption agency claimed that this omission is a requirement by law.
Alison-Madueke’s amended suit seeks an order to set aside the EFCC’s public notice, which formed the basis of the public auction of her assets.
She also requested the court to order the EFCC to retrieve her seized assets from those who purchased them.
The EFCC countered that the sale of Alison-Madueke’s assets was conducted in line with final forfeiture orders issued by the Federal High Court on July 9, 2019, and September 10, 2019.
The commission maintained that the forfeiture orders were obtained through due process and did not infringe upon Alison-Madueke’s right to a fair hearing.
Justice Inyang Ekwo warned that any absent party on the next hearing date would have their processes deemed as adopted, and their counsel may face personal penalties.
