Diezani’s suit seeking to recover assets forfeited to the Federal Government has suffered another delay, with the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourning the case until January 26, 2027.
A suit filed by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, seeking to recover assets forfeited to the Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been adjourned by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case, which came up for mention on Wednesday before Justice Inyang Ekwo, could not proceed after Diezani’s counsel, Eko-Ejembi Eko, SAN, requested more time to study the court documents.
Eko, who announced his appearance as counsel for the former minister, told the court that he was handling the matter for the first time and needed time to familiarise himself with the case.
EFCC counsel, Paul Mgbeoma, did not oppose the request. Following the agreement of both parties, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until January 26, 2027, for further mention.
In the suit, Diezani is asking the court to compel the EFCC to recover her seized assets from individuals and corporate entities to whom the commission allegedly sold them.
In an amended application, she is also seeking an order setting aside the EFCC’s public notice that preceded the auction of the properties.
The anti-graft agency had announced in the notice that the sale of the former minister’s assets would take place between January 9 and January 13, 2023.
Diezani instituted the suit against the EFCC in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, filed on January 6, 2023.
Among other reliefs, she sought an extension of time to apply for permission to challenge the commission’s public notice and the proposed sale of her properties.
In a related development, Justice Ekwo on July 1 granted an application by the former minister seeking to present evidence of her acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in London.
The EFCC had opposed the application, arguing in a further counter-affidavit that the foreign court’s decision was not relevant to the specific issues before the Federal High Court.
The commission consequently urged the court to dismiss Diezani’s request to introduce the acquittal evidence.
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