Court grants Diezani Alison-Madueke’s request to present evidence of her acquittal by a UK court

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke permission to present evidence of her acquittal by a United Kingdom court as part of her legal challenge to recover assets previously forfeited to the Federal Government.

Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application on Wednesday after it was moved by Alison-Madueke’s counsel, Godwin Iyinbor. The application was not opposed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mofesomo Oyetibo.

The application followed the June 17 decision of the Southwark Crown Court in London, which discharged and acquitted Alison-Madueke of criminal bribery allegations brought against her in the United Kingdom.

Alison-Madueke is seeking to rely on the UK court’s ruling in her suit challenging the forfeiture of her assets. During the proceedings, both parties regularised their court filings before Iyinbor sought leave to move a motion on notice filed on June 25.

He told the court the application sought permission to file a further and supplementary affidavit to bring what he described as a fresh and material development before the court, namely Alison-Madueke’s acquittal by the UK court. He also requested that the affidavit be deemed properly filed.

Although EFCC counsel acknowledged receiving the application and argued that it was intended to waste the court’s judicial time, he confirmed that the commission was not opposing the motion when questioned by the judge.

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.