Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has appealed to the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from selling properties that were seized from her.
In the legal suit filed by her team of lawyers, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the ex-Minister further requested an order directing the EFCC to retrieve any properties sold to third parties, whether individuals or corporations.
She claims that the EFCC, following a notice issued in 2023, began public auctions of assets linked to her, in violation of her right to a fair hearing. Alison-Madueke argues that the EFCC based its decision on final forfeiture orders obtained from various Nigerian courts.
Despite the EFCC’s claims that the seized properties were forfeited through final court orders, the former Minister asserts she was never served with any formal charges or related evidence in any criminal proceedings, nor was she summoned in connection with any case before the courts.
She accuses the EFCC of obtaining the forfeiture orders through misrepresentations and concealment of facts.
Alison-Madueke further argues that the courts were misled into issuing forfeiture orders due to the suppression or omission of material facts. She maintains that these orders were issued in error and can be nullified as they were based on inaccurate information.
According to the former Minister, the forfeiture orders were made by courts that lacked jurisdiction over her case, without considering her right to fair hearing.
She insists that no court has declared her actions unlawful, and no criminal conviction has been issued to justify the forfeiture of her properties.
Alison-Madueke emphasizes that she has three pending suits against the EFCC in Lagos, and since the forfeiture orders are being contested, any sales of the properties would be legally invalid and void.
In its response, the EFCC filed a counter-affidavit challenging the suit’s competence. The agency argues that extensive investigations into Alison-Madueke’s activities led to criminal charges in various courts, citing cases filed in 2017 and 2018.
The EFCC also asserts that the sale of the former Minister’s properties was done in accordance with final forfeiture orders issued by two Federal High Court judges in 2019.
The EFCC further claims that it followed due process in its disposal of the properties, having published notices inviting interested parties to respond before the sale. The forfeiture orders, it insists, remain in force and have not been overturned.
During Monday’s proceedings, Alison-Madueke’s lawyer requested additional time to respond to the EFCC’s counter-affidavit, which was served on March 14. EFCC’s representative, Mr. Divine Okoro, explained that delays prevented the agency from filing its response within the 14-day deadline.
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case until March 27 for a final hearing. The judge expressed frustration with the delays, noting that the case has been ongoing since 2023 and warned that no further excuses would be entertained.
It is also worth noting that Alison-Madueke has filed a defamation lawsuit against the EFCC, seeking N100 billion in damages. She claims that defamatory publications by the EFCC have subjected her to public ridicule and harmed her reputation.
