Court Grants Diezani Permission to Tender UK Acquittal in Asset Recovery Suit
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, permission to present evidence of her recent acquittal by a United Kingdom court in her ongoing legal battle over forfeited assets.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the ruling on Wednesday after Diezani’s counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, moved a motion seeking leave to file a further and supplementary affidavit before the court.
The application was not opposed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mofesomo Oyetibo.
The supplementary affidavit is intended to bring to the court’s attention the June 17 judgment of the Southwark Crown Court in London, which discharged and acquitted Alison-Madueke of criminal bribery charges brought against her in the United Kingdom.
The former minister is currently seeking to recover assets that were previously forfeited.
During the proceedings, both parties regularised their court processes before Iyinbor urged the court to admit the fresh affidavit as properly filed.
Although EFCC counsel argued that the application could prolong proceedings, he informed the court that the commission was not objecting to the request.
Justice Ekwo subsequently granted the application and adjourned the matter until October 6 for hearing.
The judge also directed that the EFCC’s preliminary objection and the substantive suit would be heard together on the next adjourned date.
Court Grants Diezani Permission to Tender UK Acquittal in Asset Recovery Suit