Diezani Alison-Madueke Seeks Court Intervention to Reclaim Seized Assets
Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has filed a legal challenge against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the Federal High Court in Abuja to direct the retrieval of her seized properties from their current owners.
The embattled former minister, through her legal counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), is seeking an order to nullify the EFCC’s public auction of her assets, arguing that the sale was conducted in violation of legal provisions and her constitutional rights.
Key Legal Arguments Against EFCC’s Asset Sale
In her amended application submitted before Justice Inyang Ekwo, Alison-Madueke contends that:
✅ The public auction violated statutory provisions, including the EFCC Act of 2004 and the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Act of 2022.
✅ The forfeiture orders were obtained without due process, infringing on her right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
✅ The EFCC should be barred from further disposal of her properties, and the court should reverse its prior public notice enabling the sale.
✅ The court should grant an extension of time for her to formally challenge the forfeiture orders and seek their reversal.
EFCC’s Defense: Due Process Was Followed
In response, the EFCC filed a counter-affidavit on March 14, urging the court to dismiss Alison-Madueke’s suit.
According to litigation officer Oyakhilome Ekienabor, the forfeiture orders issued on July 9 and September 10, 2019, were:
✔️ Legally binding and obtained through due process.
✔️ Not in violation of her right to fair hearing, as proper notice was given.
✔️ A result of extensive investigations into her tenure as Minister of Petroleum.
Ekienabor further stated that prior to the asset sales, the Federal High Court had ordered the EFCC to publish a public notice, inviting any interested parties to contest the forfeiture.
He noted that Alison-Madueke was represented in at least one proceeding, where the court reviewed submissions from her legal team before granting final forfeiture orders.
Background: The Case Against Diezani Alison-Madueke
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015, has been at the center of multiple investigations related to corruption and financial misconduct.
The EFCC has accused her of embezzling billions of dollars from Nigeria’s oil sector, leading to:
- Criminal proceedings filed against her in 2017 and 2018.
- Seizure of luxury properties, jewelry, and bank accounts linked to alleged illicit funds.
- The controversial public auction of her forfeited assets in January 2023.
What’s Next? Legal Battles Continue
With both parties maintaining strong legal positions, Justice Inyang Ekwo is expected to deliver a ruling on the matter in the coming weeks. If Alison-Madueke succeeds, the EFCC may be forced to reclaim and return the auctioned assets, setting a precedent for future forfeiture cases.
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