Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources (2010-2015), has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of misleading courts into granting forfeiture orders against her properties.
She alleges that the anti-graft agency suppressed and misrepresented facts to obtain the orders.
Ahead of the scheduled auction of her properties on Monday, Alison-Madueke filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to stop the EFCC from proceeding with the sale.
She contends that the agency violated her fundamental human rights by denying her a fair hearing.
Through her legal counsel, Mike Ozekhome, the former minister is requesting the court to compel the EFCC to recover and return all her properties that have already been sold.
Since leaving office in 2015, Alison-Madueke has faced allegations of bribery, fraud, misuse of public funds, and money laundering, leading to a prolonged legal battle with the EFCC.
In her application, she maintains that she was never given the opportunity to defend herself before her assets were confiscated.
“In many cases, the final forfeiture orders were made against properties which affected the applicant’s interest.
“The courts were misled into making the final order of forfeiture against the applicant based on suppression or non-disclosure of material facts,” her application stated.
However, the EFCC has countered her claims. Oyakhilome Ekienabor, the agency’s litigation officer in her case, insists that due process was followed and that the forfeiture orders remain valid.
“The forfeited properties were disposed of in accordance with the due process of law,” the EFCC’s legal counsel stated.
In response, Alison-Madueke’s legal team sought additional time to address the EFCC’s counter-affidavit.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, adjourned the case to March 27 for further hearing.
