Court grants Diezani to present UK acquittal in EFCC asset case

A federal high court in Abuja has granted Diezani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum resources, permission to tender documents relating to her acquittal by a United Kingdom court in her ongoing legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the ruling on Wednesday after approving an application filed by the former minister to introduce fresh evidence arising from the judgment of the Southwark Crown Court in London.

The application was argued by Godwin Iyinbor, Diezani’s lawyer while the EFCC, represented by Mofesomo Oyetibo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria informed the court that it had no objection to the request.

The dispute centres on assets allegedly linked to the former minister, which were seized by the anti-graft agency and later scheduled for public auction. Diezani is asking the court to set aside the forfeiture, insisting that the assets were taken without due process.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, names the EFCC as the only defendant.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, both parties confirmed that they had regularised their court processes before Diezani’s legal team sought leave to file an additional affidavit.

Iyinbor told the court that the application became necessary following his client’s acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court on June 17, 2026, in a criminal bribery case. He argued that the judgment represents a significant development that should be placed before the court in determining the matter.

The application sought permission to file the fresh affidavit and have it recognised as properly filed.

Responding, Oyetibo acknowledged receipt of the application and noted that although it could prolong proceedings, the commission would not oppose it.

Justice Ekwo subsequently granted the application and adjourned the matter until October 6, when the court will hear both the EFCC’s preliminary objection and the substantive suit.

In supporting documents before the court, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Diezani’s lead counsel, argued that the fundamental issue in the case is whether the EFCC lawfully confiscated and moved to dispose of his client’s assets without first obtaining a criminal conviction or complying with the procedures governing asset forfeiture.

He maintained that the UK court’s decision reinforces his client’s arguments on fair hearing and due process, stressing that the foreign judgment is being presented as a fresh development relevant to the pending proceedings rather than an attempt to override the jurisdiction of the Nigerian courts.