Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to retrieve her seized properties from buyers.
In an amended application filed by her lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), before Justice Inyang Ekwo, Alison-Madueke argued that the public auction of her assets violated her right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
Legal Battle Over Seized Assets
The former minister is seeking:
✅ A court order nullifying the EFCC’s public auction of her properties.
✅ A recovery of sold assets from their buyers.
✅ A declaration that the auction violated statutory provisions, including the EFCC Act (2004) and the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Act (2022).
She also wants the court to restrain the EFCC from further disposing of her properties, arguing that the final forfeiture orders against her were issued without jurisdiction and due process.
EFCC Counters Diezani’s Claims
The EFCC, in a counter-affidavit filed on March 14, urged the court to dismiss the suit.
✅ The commission asserted that extensive investigations led to criminal charges against Alison-Madueke in 2017 and 2018.
✅ It argued that the properties were legally forfeited through Federal High Court rulings on July 9, 2019, and September 10, 2019.
✅ The commission maintained that the former minister’s fair hearing rights were not violated, as she was given the opportunity to contest the forfeiture.
“The cases leading to the forfeiture orders were actions in rem, and the decisions are binding on all,” EFCC litigation officer Oyakhilome Ekienabor stated.
Court Proceedings and Adjournment
On February 17, Justice Ekwo granted Alison-Madueke’s request to amend her suit.
🔹 On March 18, her counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, informed the court that the amended motion had been served on the EFCC.
🔹 The EFCC’s counsel, Divine Oguru, assured the court that the commission would be ready for the next hearing.
🔹 Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to March 27, 2025.
