The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 6, 2025, to hear a suit filed by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, challenging the final forfeiture of her assets to the Federal Government.
Justice Mohammed Umar scheduled the date during resumed proceedings on Tuesday, July 1. Diezani’s counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, informed the court that they had responded to two motions served on them regarding the matter. Mofesomo Oyetibo, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also made his first appearance in the case.
Justice Umar noted it was his first time handling the matter and subsequently adjourned the proceedings.
The EFCC had earlier commenced the sale of the seized assets on January 9, 2023, following a court order. However, Diezani filed a motion on January 6, 2023, seeking to nullify the forfeiture orders. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, she argued that the orders were issued without jurisdiction and violated her constitutional right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
According to the former minister, she was not served with court processes or notified of the proceedings leading to the forfeiture. She further claimed the EFCC misrepresented facts and concealed material information in its applications.
In response, the EFCC, through a counter affidavit filed by investigator Rufai Zaki, dismissed the allegations as false. Zaki maintained that the proceedings were against the property, not the individual, and followed legal procedures, including public notices in national dailies inviting interested parties to contest the forfeiture.
He also stated that a legal representative, Nnamdi Awa-Kalu, had appeared in court on behalf of Diezani in one of the proceedings, demonstrating her awareness of the case.
Zaki emphasized that the orders in question were granted as far back as 2017 and had not been appealed, stressing that the properties were acquired through unlawful means and remain forfeited to the federal government.
