The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of a motion filed by former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in her ongoing legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, has rescheduled the hearing for February 17, 2025.
Alison-Madueke, through her counsel, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), filed a motion to amend the originating process in her bid to challenge the EFCC’s action regarding the forfeiture of her assets.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, seeks to extend the time within which to apply for an order to set aside the EFCC’s public notice announcing the sale of her assets.
In her application, Alison-Madueke argues that the court orders granting the forfeiture of her assets were made without proper jurisdiction and that she was denied a fair hearing in the process.
She seeks to annul the EFCC’s public notice for the sale of her assets, claiming that the forfeiture orders were issued in violation of her constitutional right to a fair hearing, as guaranteed by Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The former minister contends that she was never served with the charge sheet, evidence, or any summons related to the criminal charges against her.
She further claims that the forfeiture orders were based on misleading information and that her constitutional right to property was violated.
In response, the EFCC, represented by Detective Rufai Zaki, urged the court to dismiss Alison-Madueke’s application.
Zaki, a member of the investigative team handling the former minister’s case, insisted that Alison-Madueke had been duly charged in court and that the application for the final forfeiture of her assets was legitimate.
He emphasized that the court’s 2017 order for forfeiture had not been overturned on appeal and that the assets were lawfully sold as part of the ongoing efforts to recover proceeds of crime.
The EFCC further noted that the auction of Alison-Madueke’s assets had begun on January 9, 2023, in line with the court’s order.
During the court session on Thursday, Alison-Madueke’s lawyer, Godwin Iyinbor, informed the court of their intention to amend their application challenging the final forfeiture order.
However, no EFCC representative was present in court.
Justice Ekwo confirmed that the EFCC had served the necessary documents to Alison-Madueke’s legal team and adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, for the hearing of the motion to amend the originating summons.
