The court hearing pertaining to Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke’s legal challenge against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the final forfeiture of her confiscated assets has been rescheduled.
Originally set for October 23, 2023, the new date for this crucial case is now December 7, 2023. This postponement has arisen due to the unavailability of the presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo.
The case, officially cataloged as FHC/ABJ/CS/21/23, bears significant weight in the ongoing legal proceedings revolving around Diezani Alison-Madueke’s assets.
Prior to this delay, both legal representatives involved, namely Mr. Benson Igbanoi, representing Alison-Madueke, and M.D. Baraya, representing the EFCC, had appropriately formalized their legal processes, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
The EFCC’s keen interest in this matter is rooted in their intent to carry out a public auction of assets they suspect to be proceeds of illicit activities.
The assets in question, which encompass properties linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke, had been earmarked for permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government.
This auction process was initiated on January 9, thereby igniting a multifaceted legal dispute.