ABUJA, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for October 23, 2023, for the lawsuit filed by Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Minister of Petroleum Resources.
The case challenges an order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for the final forfeiture of her seized assets.
Justice Inyang Ekwo set the date on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, following the regularization of their processes in the suit by lawyers for both Alison-Madueke and the EFCC.
The EFCC had initiated public sales of seized assets, alleged to be proceeds of crime, and ordered by courts to be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The exercise, which started on January 9, 2023, included assets believed to belong to Alison-Madueke.
Alison-Madueke’s lawsuit requests an extension of time to apply to the court for an order to set aside the EFCC’s public notice issued to conduct a public sale on her property.
She argues that the orders were made without jurisdiction, without providing her a fair hearing, and that the court was misled into making the forfeiture orders through suppression or non-disclosure of material facts.
However, the EFCC urges the court to dismiss her application, with Rufai Zaki, a detective with the commission, stating that their investigation clearly indicated her involvement in criminal activities.
The former Minister, who served from 2010 to 2015 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, allegedly fled to the United Kingdom following her term and remains there.
The EFCC has reportedly recovered $153 million and over 80 properties from her.
With the court date set, both parties are now awaiting the decision that will either uphold or overturn the forfeiture order.
