Crime
Court Backs Diezani’s Request To Amend Lawsuit Over EFCC’s Asset Forfeiture
Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been granted permission by the Federal High Court in Abuja to amend her suit challenging the final forfeiture of her assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court decision follows a motion filed by Alison-Madueke’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, which was unopposed by the EFCC’s counsel, Divine Oguru.
Inyinbor informed the court that the motion had been duly filed and served, with no objections from the EFCC.
READ MORE: FG Recovers $52.88m Of Diezani Alison-Madueke’s Loot From U.S
Justice Inyang Ekwo then granted the request, allowing the former minister to amend her originating process.
Alison-Madueke has been given five days to file and serve the amended documents, while the EFCC has 14 days from the date of service to respond.
The case has been adjourned until March 17, 2025, for further mention.
Alison-Madueke’s legal battle revolves around the EFCC’s move to sell assets linked to her, which the commission claims were proceeds of criminal activities.
In her application, filed on January 6, 2023, the ex-minister challenged the validity of court orders issued for the forfeiture of her assets, asserting that they were made without proper jurisdiction and violated her constitutional rights.
“The various court orders issued in favour of the respondent and upon which the respondent issued the public notice were issued in breach of the applicant’s right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as altered, and other similar constitutional provisions,” Alison-Madueke argued in her motion.
She further claimed that she had never been served with the charge sheet or summons related to the criminal charges against her.
Alison-Madueke also accused the courts of being misled into issuing the forfeiture orders, which she said were based on “gross misstatements, misrepresentations, non-disclosure, concealment, and suppression of material facts.”
“The court has the power to set aside same ex debito justitiae, as a void order is as good as if it was never made at all,” she added.
In its counter-response, the EFCC rejected Alison-Madueke’s claims. Rufus Zaki, an EFCC operative, deposed that the former minister was involved in a criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and official corruption.
Zaki argued that the final forfeiture orders had been lawfully made in 2017 and had not been overturned on appeal.
“The final forfeiture of the assets, which were subject to the present application, was ordered by the court in 2017 and that this was not set aside or upturned on appeal,” Zaki stated in his affidavit.
The EFCC further explained that the forfeiture proceedings followed due process, including the publication of a notice inviting parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
In January 2023, the EFCC began plans for a public sale of assets, including properties believed to be linked to Alison-Madueke.
The commission has recovered over $153 million and more than 80 properties in connection with the ex-minister’s case.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Petroleum Minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is said to have fled to the United Kingdom after her tenure in office.
In addition to her current case regarding the forfeiture of assets, she has also filed a separate suit against the EFCC, seeking N100 billion in damages for alleged defamatory publications.
The case is scheduled to resume on March 17, 2025, for further consideration.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
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“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
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The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
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