The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has objected to former Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke's attempt to present a UK court judgment that acquitted her of corruption charges. In a counter-affidavit, the EFCC argues that the acquittal by a foreign court is not relevant to the issues before the Nigerian court. This development is part of an ongoing case in which Diezani seeks to reclaim assets forfeited to the Nigerian government.
Diezani was acquitted by the Southwark Crown Court in London on June 17. Following her acquittal, she filed a suit before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to reclaim her assets. The EFCC had previously been granted permission to file a further counter-affidavit in response to Diezani's application. The case has been adjourned until November 11 for hearing of the motions.
The EFCC's counter-affidavit, dated October 5, states that some of Diezani's depositions are misleading and immaterial to the substantive issues in her suit. The commission argues that the UK court proceedings and Diezani's acquittal have no bearing on the Nigerian court's case. According to the EFCC, the order for forfeiture relates exclusively to issues not connected to Diezani's UK acquittal.
Diezani's lawyer, Mrs. Queen-Ubokutom Uwe, informed the court that the EFCC had served them with a motion prior to the commencement of the hearing. The court granted the EFCC's prayer to file a further counter-affidavit. The case involves Diezani's attempt to reclaim assets forfeited to the Nigerian government following a court order.
The EFCC's litigation officer, Oyakhilome Ekienabor, deposed to the counter-affidavit. Ekienabor stated that there is nothing in the public sale notice indicating that any of the properties listed belong to Diezani. The EFCC is opposing Diezani's request to present the UK court judgment as evidence in the Nigerian court.
Diezani's suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, was filed against the EFCC as the sole respondent. Her lawyer, Mofesomo Oyetibo, SAN, did not raise objections to the EFCC's application to file a further counter-affidavit. The judge granted the EFCC's prayer, allowing them to file a further counter-affidavit.
The case has been adjourned until November 11 for hearing of the motions. The EFCC's objection to Diezani's presentation of the UK court judgment is a significant development in the ongoing case. The court's decision on the matter remains pending.
Key points
- The EFCC has challenged Diezani Alison-Madueke's attempt to present a UK court judgment that acquitted her of corruption charges, arguing that it is not relevant to the issues before the Nigerian court.
