Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from auctioning her seized assets. Through her lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), she also requested that any properties already sold be recovered.
Diezani claims the EFCC conducted the sales without affording her the right to a fair hearing, arguing that she was never served with legal charges or notified of proceedings leading to the forfeiture orders. She further alleged that the orders were obtained through misrepresentation and concealment of facts, and were issued by courts lacking jurisdiction.
The EFCC, however, countered that the properties were legally forfeited following extensive investigations into her tenure as a public official, with multiple criminal charges filed against her since 2017. The agency maintains that due process was followed, including public notices inviting interested parties to contest the forfeiture.
At a recent hearing, Diezani’s lawyer requested more time to respond to EFCC’s claims, leading Justice Inyang Ekwo to adjourn the case to March 27, 2025, for a final hearing. The judge warned against further delays.
Diezani has also filed a separate N100 billion defamation lawsuit against the EFCC, accusing the agency of portraying her as a treasury looter in public statements and media reports.
