A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke’s application to amend her suit challenging the final forfeiture order of her seized assets.
Justice Inyang Ekwo approved the request after Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, moved the motion, which was not opposed by the EFCC Counsel, Divine Oguru.
Diezani had filed the suit to challenge the EFCC’s public notice to conduct a public sale of her property, arguing that the various court orders were made without jurisdiction and that she was not given a fair hearing.
She also claimed that the courts were misled into making final forfeiture orders against her assets through suppression or non-disclosure of material facts.
The EFCC, however, countered that Diezani’s application was based on untrue depositions and that the final forfeiture of her assets was ordered by the court in 2017.
The anti-corruption agency also revealed that $153 million and over 80 properties had been recovered from Diezani, who is alleged to have escaped to the United Kingdom after her exit from public office.
The court has given Diezani five days to file and serve the amended processes, while the EFCC has 14 days to respond.
The matter has been adjourned until March 17 for further mention.