Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has filed a legal application seeking an injunction to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from selling off properties that were previously seized from her.
In a case before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the former minister argues that the EFCC’s actions are unlawful and in violation of her fundamental rights to fair hearing and due process.
Through her legal representation, led by renowned lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome, Diezani has requested the court to issue an order compelling the EFCC to retrieve any assets it has already sold to third parties, including both individuals and corporate entities.
She claims that the EFCC’s decision to auction her properties is based on final forfeiture orders obtained by the agency in 2023, which she contends were issued under questionable circumstances.
Diezani’s legal team asserts that the EFCC began the process of selling her assets following these forfeiture orders, but that the agency’s actions were deeply flawed.
According to the former minister, the court orders that enabled the sales were based on misstatements, omissions, and a deliberate concealment of critical facts during the legal proceedings.
She alleges that the courts were misled into issuing these orders, which were rooted in the suppression of material evidence and other forms of legal malpractice.
In her application, Diezani contends that the final forfeiture orders that allowed the sale of her properties were flawed from the outset. She argues that these orders should be set aside, as they were obtained through gross misrepresentations, non-disclosure of crucial facts, and concealment of evidence.
According to her lawyers, a court order issued under such circumstances is invalid, and should be treated as if it were never made.
Diezani’s legal team further emphasizes that the EFCC’s actions in seizing and selling her properties are unjust, and that the former minister has not been given a fair opportunity to defend her interests in court.
They argue that she has been deprived of the right to challenge the forfeiture of her assets adequately, and that this violates her rights to a fair trial and due process under Nigerian law.
The move to block the sale of her properties comes as part of Diezani’s broader legal battle against the EFCC. Over the years, the former minister has faced various allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement related to her tenure in office.
However, Diezani has consistently denied the charges and has maintained that the legal proceedings against her are politically motivated and part of a broader effort to tarnish her reputation.
Diezani’s attempt to block the sale of her assets has sparked widespread debate, with many closely watching how the courts will address these claims of legal malpractice and human rights violations.
Her legal team remains confident that the court will recognize the flaws in the EFCC’s case and will act to ensure that her rights are protected.
As the legal battle unfolds, Diezani continues to seek justice in the face of what she calls a prolonged campaign of harassment and injustice by the EFCC.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how future asset forfeiture cases are handled in Nigeria, particularly those involving high-profile individuals accused of corruption.
