Court Allows Diezani to Present UK Acquittal Evidence in Abuja Asset Case

(Diezani Alison-Madueke. Photo Credit: BBC)

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted an application filed by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to present evidence of her acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in London, UK.

Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the motion on notice moved by Diezani's lawyer, Godwin Iyinbor, which was not challenged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mofesomo Oyetibo, SAN.

The UK court had, on June 17, discharged and acquitted the ex-minister in respect of criminal allegations of bribery brought against her.

Diezani had, in a suit filed before Justice Ekwo, sought to reclaim her forfeited assets.

In the amended originating motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, she sued the EFCC as sole respondent.

When the case was called on Wednesday, Iyinbor and Oyetibo regularised their processes. Iyinbor then sought the leave of the court to move a motion on notice which was filed on June 25.

He said the motion sought permission to file a further/supplementary affidavit for the purpose of bringing fresh and material development with respect to Diezani's acquittal by the UK court, adding that the application also sought an order to deem the affidavit as being properly filed.

Oyetibo acknowledged being served with the application, but argued that the motion was intended to waste the judicial time of the court.

“They just want to bring to your lordship's attention that the applicant has been exonerated in the UK,” he said.

Justice Ekwo, however, asked if he planned to oppose it or not, and the lawyer said they were not objecting to the application.

The judge consequently granted the motion as prayed and adjourned the matter until October 6 for hearing, holding that on the next adjourned date, the preliminary objection and the substantive suit shall be taken together.