Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Petroleum Minister, is back in the headlines, continuing her legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This time, it’s not just about asset seizures, but about whether the process was fair or even lawful. The saga has taken yet another turn, with Alison-Madueke requesting a Federal High Court in Abuja to amend the ongoing legal battle, which has now been rescheduled for February 17, 2025.
Alison-Madueke, represented by her high-profile lawyer, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has filed a motion arguing that the EFCC’s public notice regarding the sale of her assets is fundamentally flawed. She claims that the court’s forfeiture orders were issued without the proper jurisdiction, and, most importantly, that her constitutional right to a fair hearing was violated.
It’s the usual case of “the system failed me,” and who’s to argue? In her legal fight, Alison-Madueke is not just questioning the process but demanding that the government’s entire case be scrapped, specifically pointing to the fact that she was denied a fair hearing in violation of Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. Add to this the claim that key information was suppressed or outright ignored, and you’ve got a messy situation where justice itself seems to be on trial. The former minister insists that the forfeiture orders were made in violation of her right to property. After all, what’s the point of property rights if the government can come in and take everything without proper procedure?
On the other hand, the EFCC, in all its usual fervor, isn’t backing down. Detective Rufai Zaki, representing the commission, is adamant that the agency’s actions were above board.
According to him, Alison-Madueke was properly charged, and the orders for the forfeiture of her assets were carried out according to the law. In fact, he argues, the assets were duly disposed of in 2017, and the sale process is part of the EFCC’s broader mission to recover illicit funds.
For now, all we can do is wait. February 17, 2025, is the next date on the calendar, and we’ll see if the court allows this legal game of chess to continue or if it finally reaches a conclusion.
