“Court Grants Diezani Alison-Madueke’s Request to Amend Suit Against EFCC”

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the application of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke to amend her suit challenging the final forfeiture of her seized assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The ruling was delivered on Monday by Justice Inyang Ekwo, who approved the motion after Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, moved the application in court. EFCC’s counsel, Divine Oguru, did not oppose the motion.

Inyinbor informed the court that the motion to amend the originating process had already been filed and that the defendant had been duly served. With no objections from the EFCC, Justice Ekwo granted the request to amend the suit as prayed.

The judge gave Diezani five days to file and serve the amended documents, while the EFCC was granted 14 days to respond.

The case was adjourned to March 17 for further mention.

Diezani’s legal battle concerns an order obtained by the EFCC for the public sale of her assets, which she claims were made without due process and in violation of her constitutional rights to fair hearing. She argued that she was not served with the charge sheet or any summons related to the charges against her, and that the final forfeiture orders were made based on misleading information and suppression of material facts.

Diezani, who served as Petroleum Minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, faces several allegations of corruption and money laundering. The EFCC has claimed that she was involved in criminal activities during her tenure, leading to the seizure of her assets, including over 80 properties and $153 million, as part of its investigation into her alleged misconduct.

EFCC officials countered Diezani’s claims, asserting that the courts issued forfeiture orders after following due process, including public notifications and hearings. The commission also noted that the properties in question had been disposed of in accordance with the law.

This latest development is a continuation of Diezani’s ongoing legal efforts to contest both the forfeiture of her assets and the accusations leveled against her. Her legal team also filed a separate suit seeking compensation for alleged defamatory statements made by the EFCC.