By George Omagbemi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to disregard former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke’s attempt to rely on her recent acquittal by a UK court in her ongoing challenge over assets affected by forfeiture and sale proceedings.
Diezani was acquitted on June 17, 2026, by the Southwark Crown Court in London on bribery-related charges brought against her in the United Kingdom.
She subsequently obtained permission from Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court to present the UK judgment as a subsequent development in her Nigerian case. The EFCC did not oppose that application when it was initially made in July.
However, in a further counter-affidavit filed on October 5, the commission argued that the UK proceedings and acquittal have no bearing on the substantive issues before the Nigerian court.
The EFCC also argued that the forfeiture order at issue relates specifically to jewellery and does not automatically extend to other properties or assets.
Diezani’s lawyers, led by Mike Ozekhome, SAN, maintain that the acquittal is a material development relevant to issues including fair hearing, due process and the deprivation of her property rights.
Justice Ekwo has adjourned the matter until November 11, 2026, when the pending applications are expected to be heard.
The court is yet to determine whether the UK judgment will have any bearing on Diezani’s Nigerian asset-forfeiture challenge.
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