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Tag: Diezani

  • Legal, technical hitches stall Diezani’s corruption trial in UK

    Legal, technical hitches stall Diezani’s corruption trial in UK

    The corruption trial of a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in London was delayed yesterday for legal and technical reasons.

    The 65-year-old, who is the first female president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, related to her time as Minister for Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015, when Goodluck Jonathan was Nigeria’s president.

    The trial may not begin until today, with both the prosecution and defence teams needing to agree on certain evidence that may or may not be examined during the proceedings — and to finalise the selection of jurors — lawyers said.

    Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting “financial or other advantages” from individuals linked to the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups between 2011 and 2015.

    These included the use of refurbishment work on, and staff costs at several London properties, furniture, chauffeur-driven cars, a private jet flight to Nigeria and £100,000 ($137,000) in cash.

    Other counts allege she received bribes, including school fees for her son, products from high-end shops such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton, and further private jet flights.

    READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria has not recovered from military rule’

    Accepting these bribes constituted “improper performance” of her duties as oil minister, the indictment read.

    She appeared at a London court last week for preliminary proceedings, including technical matters and jury selection, ahead of the trial, which is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.

    Two others, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also being prosecuted on bribery charges linked to the case.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke has been on bail since she was first arrested in London in October 2015.

    She has denied the charges against her.

    In 2023, she was formally charged with offences of accepting bribes, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

    “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” the NCA said at the time.

    Earlier in 2023, the NCA, which targets international and serious and organised crime, said it provided evidence to US prosecutors allowing them to recover assets totalling $53.1 million linked to Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.

    They included luxury real estate in California and New York, as well as a 65-metre (213-foot) superyacht, the Galactica Star, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on March 27.

    Born to a well-off family in the oil city of Port Harcourt in 1960, Alison-Madueke studied architecture in Britain and the United States before joining oil giant Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary.

    In politics, she held three major positions in government — first as Transport Minister in 2007 under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, then Minister of Mines and Steel development.

    When Jonathan took over after the death of Yar’Adua, he appointed her Minister of Petroleum Resources in April 2010.

    In 2014, she became the first female president of OPEC, a role she held for around a year.

  • Court declines to hear EFCC’s suit over failure to vacate Diezani’s property

    Court declines to hear EFCC’s suit over failure to vacate Diezani’s property

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has expressed displeasure over the failure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to comply with its order directing the anti-graft agency to vacate one of the houses seized from former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke.

    Justice Musa Liman, in a ruling on Friday, held among others, that it was disrespectful of the court for the EFCC to disregard the court’s earlier order directing it to vacate the property – House 6, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja – only to return to the same court for an order staying its said order pending appeal.

    Justice Liman, who accused the EFCC of treating the court’s earlier order with disdain, said his court would no longer hear any application from it (the EFCC) until it purged itself of the contemptuous act.

    The judge said: “The law is no respecter of any person. If order of the court can be treated with disdain by an agency of the government, then there will be nothing left, but for persons to take law into their own hands.

    “Disobedience to a court order is injurious to the rule of law and can lead to anarchy. Where a party has refused to obey court order, the court cannot exercise discretion in favour of such a party.

    “Therefore, this court will deny the applicant (EFCC) further audience till it purge itself of the contempt,” the judge said.

    Justice Liman held that the May 16 order of the court, directing that the occupant of the property – High Chief Ikechi Emenike – be allowed access to the house, was still subsisting.

    The judge rejected the request by the EFCC to hear a motion for stay the execution of the May 16 order issued  in favour of High Chief Emenike.

    Justice Liman also issued an order for substituted service of court documents on EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyode and a lawyer with the agency, Francis Usani, in relation to a pending contempt case against them.

    Read Also: Alia suspends aide arrested by EFCC over sextortion, cyberbullying

    He ordered parties to return for the hearing of the contempt case after service.

    In the motion, seeking the committal of the two men, filed by Emenike’s lawyer, Obi Nwakor, the the court is prayed to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the EFCC Chairman and a lawyer that represented the agency in the case, Usani, “for brazen and grievous acts of contempt of resisting and obstructing the Sheriffs of this court from the execution of orders of this honourable court in this suit, made on the 16th day of May 2025.”

    The court is also urged to issue an order of the court, directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take the duo “into custody with immediate effect for the purpose of bringing them before the court to show cause why they should not be committed to prison for brazen and grievous contempt of court.”

    According to court documents, the EFCC, in October 2023 secured an order for final forfeiture of the property and subsequently advertised it for sale.

    Emenike, who was the sitting tenant, later got an order of a HIgh Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ordering that he be accorded the right of first refusal, a decision the EFCC failed to comply with, and instead, evicted him, claiming to want to utilise it as its Chairman’s residence.

  • Court to hear Diezani’s asset forfeiture suit June 30

    Court to hear Diezani’s asset forfeiture suit June 30

    The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed June 30 to hear the suit filed by former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke challenging the forfeiture of her assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

    At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Alison-Madueke was represented by Mr Godwin Iyinbor from the chambers of Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, but the EFCC had no representation in court.

    Inyinbor told the court presided over by Justice Musa Umar that Justice Inyang Ekwo, who handled the matter previously, had said on the last adjourned date that any party who prevented the definite hearing of the matter on the next adjourn date would pay cost.

    Justice Umar, however, said that since he was not the one who made that pronouncement, the anti-graft agency should be given another opportunity to appear in court.

    He ordered that hearing notices be issued and adjourned the matter until June 30 for hearing.

    In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, which started in 2023, Alison-Madueke prayed the court to extend the time to apply for an order to set aside the EFCC’s public notice issued for the sale of her properties.

    In her application, she argued that the orders for the forfeiture of her assets were made without jurisdiction.

    She held  that she was denied fair hearing in the proceedings that led to the forfeiture orders.

    Read Also: Tinubu understands weight of office -Minister

     She sought five orders from the court, including the annulment of the EFCC’s public notice on the sale of her properties.

    She contended that the various court orders issued in favour of the EFCC violated her constitutional right to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    The embattled former minister said that she was never served with the charge sheet, proof of evidence or  summons regarding the charge against her.

    She claimed that the court had been misled into granting the forfeiture order due to the suppression or non-disclosure of critical information.

    The EFCC, however, prayed the court to dismiss her application on the grounds that she had been properly brought before the court.

    The anti-graft agency held that the application for final forfeiture of her assets had been properly instituted and conducted following all legal requirements.

    It said that the properties had been duly disposed of following the court’s order, which had been made in 2017 and which had not been overturned on appeal.

  • Diezani denies link with $52.8m ‘loot’ U.S returned to Nigeria

    Diezani denies link with $52.8m ‘loot’ U.S returned to Nigeria

    Former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has faulted the linking of her name with the $52.88 million the United States (U.S.A) returned to Nigeria following the recently executed Asset Return Agreement (ARA).

    Both Nigeria and the U.S had said the ARA signed in Abuja on January 10 by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Ambassador of the United States, Richard M. Mills Jr., was for the repatriation of the approximately $52.88 million arising from the forfeiture of the Galactica assets linked to Alison-Madueke and her associates.

    But in a statement yesterday, Diezani denied involvement in any inappropriate conduct while in office, adding that she had no relationship with the Galactica assets.

    The statement, titled: There is no such thing as Diezani loot, was written on her behalf by her lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who argued, among others, that his client was being unduly maligned by those who dislike her.

    The statement said: “We note with concern the recent deliberate attempt to link her (Diezani) with what has been described as a civil forfeiture of a yacht Galactica, the sale of which was said to have yielded $52.8 million to the U.S Government, which sum has since been repatriated to Nigeria.

    “This is a clear example of the mischievous and cruel sport of tarnishing the image of the lady through a bouquet of consistent, persistent and unrelenting cocktail of falsehoods and misinformation.

    “To sell the storyline, the architects ensured they attached Diezani’s name to a recovered yacht which is not in any way linked to her. They now falsely termed it ‘Diezani loot.’ Nothing of the sort ever happened.

    “She was never involved in the purchase, use and sale of the said yacht. The yacht Galactica, from information readily available in the public domain and in open sources, was purchased by Mr. Kola Aluko who had used the vessel until he agreed to its forfeiture to the United States of America.

    “The only tenuous basis for deliberately linking DAM (Diezani Alison-Madueke) to the said yacht is the false narrative that the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs), which were entered into between Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore’s Atlantic Energy companies and the NNPC, were allegedly corruptly awarded to the said companies by DAM.

    Read Also: Speaker Abbas laments tanker explosion in Niger

    “DAM was not the GMD of the NNPC as so did not and could not have awarded the said contracts.

    “The fallacy of DAM’s involvement in an alleged corrupt contract which gave birth to proceeds with which the Galactica was supposedly purchased has long been debunked and laid to rest by a Nigerian competent court of law in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2016 – Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Olajide Omokore & others.

    “In that case, the Federal High Court, coram Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba (now of the Court of Appeal), held that the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) between NNPC and the Atlantic Companies were validly entered into between the said companies and the NNPC. 

    “Furthermore, the said companies and their chairman were discharged and acquitted of any offence howsoever in relation to allegedly obtaining the contract or monies realised from it through false representations.

    “They were also exonerated and freed of the offence of money laundering in relation to the said contracts with which they were also charged.

    “The judgment in the case clearly established that the said contracts were properly awarded by NNPC and that the said award followed due process.”

    Ozekhome, who noted that the former minister had been subject of other false allegations, recalled that “sometime ago, she was widely, but falsely accused of owning a diamond-studded bikini underwear allegedly valued at $12,000,000!

    “The allegation was so unnatural, wild and baseless that the then Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was compelled to publicly deny and denounce the vile allegation as being not only false, but preposterous.”

    Ozekhome, who claimed that his client served the nation diligently as the Minister of Petroleum, argued that “she remains the only Petroleum Minister to have left behind, a staggering sum of over  $4 billion in the NLNG account representing gas sector investment funds.

    “She did this to steady the incoming administration of former president, Muhammadu Buhari, at the end of her tenure in May, 2015.”

    Ozekhome further claimed that Diezani’s travails over the last 10 years “have been founded solely on baseless and unfounded speculations and allegations which wrongly alleged that she obtained unlawful gifts and favours from operators within the petroleum industry.

    “She had never been accosted or charged with stealing or pilfering government money. These matters of obtaining unlawful gifts and favours are now subject of proceedings against DAM in the United Kingdom.

    “We plead, as her lawyers, with all and sundry, that she be accorded fair hearing and that the process of these UK court proceedings be allowed to take their natural course to avoid prejudice to her in the ongoing subjudice UK proceedings against her.

    “Those purveyors and peddlers who habitually spin these outright false, unfounded, defamatory, unintelligent and indefensible narratives to denigrate and humiliate her should please find better use of their time and leave DAM alone.

    “Let the law take its natural course without interference. We humbly pray,” Ozekhome said.

  • Former petroleum minister Diezani denies link with $52.8m loot returned by US

    Former petroleum minister Diezani denies link with $52.8m loot returned by US

    Former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has faulted the association of her name with the $52.88 million in respect of which Nigeria and the United States recently executed an Asset Return Agreement (ARA).

    Both Nigeria and the US had claimed the ARA signed in Abuja on January 10 by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and the Ambassador of the United States, Richard M. Mills Jr. was for the repatriation of the approximately $52.88million arising from the forfeiture of the Galactica assets, linked to the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke and her associates.

    But, in a statement on Sunday, Diezani claimed to have diligently served the country and denied involvement in inappropriate conduct while in office, adding that she had no relationship with the Galactica assets.

    The statement titled: “There is no such thing as Diezani loot,” was written on her behalf by her lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who argued among others, that his client was being unduly maligned by those who dislike her.

    Part of the statement said: “We note with concern the recent deliberate attempt to link her (Diezani) with what has been described as a civil forfeiture of a yacht Galactica, the sale of which was said to have yielded $52.8m to the US government; which sum has since been repatriated to Nigeria. 

    “This is a clear example of the mischievous and cruel sport of tarnishing the image of the lady through a bouquet of consistent, persistent and unrelenting cocktail of falsehoods and misinformation.

    Read Also: US returns $52.88m seized from Diezani, associates

    “To sell the storyline, the architects ensured they attached Diezani’s name to a recovered yacht which is not in any way linked to her. They now falsely termed it ‘Diezani loot.’ Nothing of the sort ever happened. 

    “She was never involved in the purchase, use and sale of the said yacht. The yacht Galactica, from information readily available in the public domain and in open sources, was purchased by Mr. Kola Aluko who had used the vessel until he agreed to its forfeiture to the United States of America. 

    “The only tenuous basis for deliberately linking DAM (Diezani Alison-Madueke) to the said yacht is the false narrative that the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) which were entered into between Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore’s Atlantic Energy companies and NNPC, were allegedly corruptly awarded to the said companies by DAM. 

    “DAM was not the GMD of the NNPC as so did not and could not have awarded the said contracts.

    “The fallacy of DAM’s involvement in an alleged corrupt contract which gave birth to proceeds with which the Galactica was supposedly purchased has long been debunked and laid to rest by a Nigerian competent court of law in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2016 – Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Olajide Omokore & others.

    “In that case, the Federal High Court, coram Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba (now of the Court of Appeal), held that the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) between NNPC and the Atlantic Companies were validly entered into between the said companies and the NNPC.  

    “Furthermore, the said companies and their chairman were discharged and acquitted of any offence howsoever in relation to allegedly obtaining the contract or monies realized from it through false representations. 

    “They were also exonerated and freed of the offence of money laundering in relation to the said contracts with which they were also charged.

    “The judgement in the case established that the said contracts were properly awarded by NNPC and that the said award followed due process.”

    Ozekhome, who noted that his client had been subject to other false allegations, recalled that “some time ago, she was widely, but falsely accused of owning a diamond-studded bikini underwear allegedly valued at $12,000,000!

    “The allegation was so unnatural, wild, and baseless that the then Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was compelled to publicly deny and denounce the vile allegation as being not only false but preposterous.”

    Ozekhome, who claimed that his client served the nation diligently as the Minister of Petroleum, argued that “she remains the only Petroleum Minister to have left behind, a staggering sum of over  $4billion in the NLNG account representing gas sector investment funds. 

    “She did this to steady the incoming administration of former president, Muhammadu Buhari, at the end of her tenure in May 2015.”

    Ozekhome further claimed that Diezani’s travails over the last 10 years “have been founded solely on baseless speculations and allegations which wrongly alleged that she obtained unlawful gifts and favours from operators within the petroleum industry. 

    “She had never been accosted or charged with stealing or pilfering government money. These matters of obtaining unlawful gifts and favours are now the subject of proceedings against DAM in the United Kingdom.

    “We plead, as her lawyers, with all and sundry, that she be accorded fair hearing and that the process of these UK court proceedings be allowed to take their natural course to avoid prejudice to her in the ongoing subjudice UK proceedings against her. 

    “Those purveyors and peddlers who habitually spin these outrightly false, unfounded, defamatory, unintelligent, and indefensible narratives to denigrate and humiliate her should please find better use of their time and leave DAM alone. 

    “Let the law take its natural course without interference. We humbly pray,” Ozekhome said.

  • US returns $52.88m seized from Diezani, associates

    US returns $52.88m seized from Diezani, associates

    Nigeria yesterday received from the United States of America (USA) approximately $52.88 million being proceeds from the forfeiture of the Galactica assets linked to former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and her associates.

    The funds repatriation came under the Asset Return Agreement (ARA) between the two countries.

    Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), signed for Nigeria while the Ambassador of the United States, Richard M. Mills Jr. signed for his country.

    Fifty million dollars of the money will be utilised through the World Bank to partly fund the Rural Electrification Project designed to increase the reliability and availability of renewable energy in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Six reasons some men never admit being in a relationship

    The balance of $2.88m will be disbursed as a grant by Nigeria to the International Institute for Justice (IIJ) to support “the Rule of Law and Counter-Terrorism Project,” through counter-terrorism capacity building for Criminal Justice Sector Practitioners in East, West and North Africa.

    The AGF was optimistic that the projects to which the funds will be applied would contribute in no small measure to creating an enabling environment for socio-economic growth and development.

    According to him, measures have been put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not only disbursed but also utilised transparently and accountably by the World Bank and IIJ, with periodic reports to be forwarded to Nigeria and the US on the implementation of the projects.

    He added: “This robust framework will guarantee that the funds are effectively used for the full benefit of the Nigerian people in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles.”

    The AGF said the agreement was not only a testament to the unwavering commitment of both nations to fighting corruption, it also signifies the commitment of the United States of America to facilitating restitution and supporting integrity and accountability in governance.

    “The collaboration between Nigeria and the United States is underpinned by our shared values and mutual respect, and this has been pivotal in facilitating this agreement,” he said.

    “This partnership highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the global scourge of corruption, which is also linked to trans-border crimes.

    “It underscores the obligations and commitments enshrined in the UNCAC and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act (POCA), which guide our collective efforts to ensure that stolen assets are returned and used for the benefits of our citizens.”

    The AGF asked the US to continue to demonstrate the usual cooperation and understanding in other pending cases of repatriation, so that the agreements in relation thereto could be concluded as soon as possible, as Nigeria is in dire need of these refunds.

    He said yesterday’s  signing of the agreement was “a significant affirmation of the resolve of President Bola Tinubu to build a Nigeria that is free from the shackles of corruption, and to ensure available resources are devoted to socio-economic development of our nation.

    “It is a clarion call to all stakeholders—both domestic and international—to continue working together to uphold the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability.”

    Mills Jr. described the agreement signing as a remarkable achievement in the ongoing efforts by both countries to curb corruption, uphold the rule of law and recover stolen funds so that they could be returned for the benefit of Nigerians.

    He expressed confidence that the AGF and his team would effectively monitor and ensure that the funds are used as spelt out in the agreement, and for the benefit of Nigerians.

    The Court of Appeal, on November 26, 2021, affirmed the forfeiture of jewellery estimated at $40 million belonging to the former Minister to the Federal Government.

    Justice I.N. Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos had on September 10, 2019 ordered the final forfeiture of the jewellery and a customised gold Iphone all valued at $40m belonging to Deziani, to the FG.

    The FHC, in its judgment, rejected claim by Allison-Madueke’s lawyer, Awa Kalu, SAN, that the items in contention were legitimately acquired by Deziani before becoming a minister.

    It said the jewellery and Iphone were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, as the respondent failed to show how they were acquired.

    Justice Oweibo had also held that the respondent failed to show cause why the properties should not be forfeited to the Federal Government, and consequently granted the EFCC’s application.

    The former minister approached the Court of Appeal which ruled that there was no substance in Alison-Madueke’s bid to overturn the lower court’s order.

    The confiscated items were in 33 sets and included  419 bangles; 315 rings; 304 earrings; 267 necklaces; 189 wristwatches; 174 necklaces and earrings; 78 bracelets; 77 brooches; and 74 pendants.

    The ex-minister is currently standing trial at the Westminister’s Court in London, United Kingdom, for alleged bribery while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also slammed her with 13-count charges bordering on money laundering in Dubai, United Kingdom, United States of America and Nigeria.

    The EFCC, on January 24, 2022 obtained an arrest warrant against the former minister from a Federal High Court in Abuja.

  • JUST IN: US govt returns $52.88m seized from Diezani, associates to Nigeria

    JUST IN: US govt returns $52.88m seized from Diezani, associates to Nigeria

    Nigeria and the United States on Friday executed an Asset Return Agreement (ARA) for the repatriation of approximately $52.88million arising from the forfeiture of the Galactica assets, linked to the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke and her associates.

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) signed for Nigeria while the Ambassador of the United States, Richard M. Mills Jr. signed for his country.

    By the agreement, $50m of the repatriated funds will be utilized through the World Bank, to partly fund the Rural Electrification Project to increase the reliability and availability of renewable energy in Nigeria. 

    The balance of $2.88m will be disbursed as a grant by Nigeria to the International Institute for Justice (IIJ) to support “the Rule of Law and Counter-Terrorism Project,” through counter-terrorism capacity building for Criminal Justice Sector Practitioners in East, West, and North Africa.

    The AGF said was optimistic that the projects to which funds will be applied, will no doubt contribute in no small measure to creating the enabling environment for socio-economic growth and development. 

    Fagbemi explained that measures have been put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not only disbursed, but also utilized transparently and accountably by the World Bank and IIJ, with periodic reports to be forwarded to Nigeria and the US on the implementation of the projects. 

    He added: “This robust framework will guarantee that the funds are effectively used for the full benefit of the Nigerian people in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles.”

    Read Also: Diezani’s suit against EFCC stalled over judge’s absence

    The AGF said the agreement is not only a testament to the unwavering commitment of both nations to fight corruption, it also signifies the commitment of the United States of America to facilitating restitution and supporting integrity and accountability in governance.

    Fagbemi added: “The collaboration between Nigeria and the United States is underpinned by our shared values and mutual respect, and this has been pivotal in facilitating this agreement. 

    “This partnership highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the global scourge of corruption, which is also linked to trans-border crimes.

    “It underscores the obligations and commitments enshrined in the UNCAC and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act (POCA), which guide our collective efforts to ensure that stolen assets are returned and used for the benefit of our citizens.”

    The AGF, who commended the US government for its efforts, urged the country to continue to demonstrate the usual cooperation and understanding in other pending cases of repatriation, so that the agreements in relation thereto can be concluded as soon as possible, as Nigeria is in dire need of these refunds.

    He said the signing of the agreement on Friday was “a significant affirmation of the resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a Nigeria that is free from the shackles of corruption, and to ensure available resources are devoted to socio-economic development of our nation. 

    “It is a clarion call to all stakeholders—both domestic and international—to continue working together to uphold the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability.”

  • The Diezani love story

    The Diezani love story

    In the charged atmosphere that we now find ourselves as a nation, there is nothing good like a love story to soothe the nerves. A story of two persons who are madly in love with each other. A love story is a love story whether it has gone sour or not.

    But a sweet love story is much more better. The love story of Diezani has brought a comic relief of sorts to the tension in the land. We all know Diezani, whether she tags that name with Alison-Madueke or her nee, Agama, will not detract from the recognition she gets when you hear the name.

    Diezani, the one and only Diezani for any other one is a counterfeit is embroiled in a marital dispute with her ex, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff. Their love story started way back in the nineties and culminated in marriage on June 30, 1999, according to papers filed in court by the former naval boss, who is praying that she stopped using his name.

    Until now, many never knew that they were no longer married. Their love story was thought to be still as hot as it was when they first met. Their marriage broke down in 2015 when they stopped living together after Diezani moved abroad shortly after the Jonathan administration was ousted in that year’s election. In law, co-habitation is a good ground for dissolving a marriage.

    It has been nine years since Diezani fled abroad, where a renowned journalist-politician once reported that she was undergoing cancer treatment. That lie of a story has since been punctured for what it was – a PR stuff to save the beautiful face of Diezani who is being tried at home and in London for corruption. Her trial is the main reason why the patent owner of the name Alison-Madueke wants her to stop using it as her last name.

    Revert to your maiden name of Agama, he tells his estranged wife. When a love story goes sour it takes everything down with it. The relationship, the name, the property become crippled. Even the family on both sides suffers one way or the other. Alison-Madueke and Diezani are no longer married. The marriage, according to him, was dissolved by a Nasarawa State High Court in 2022 on the strength of a petition by his former wife.

    Read Also; Diezani’s estranged husband asks court to stop ex-minister from using his name

    If Diezani went to court to dissolve her marriage, why then is she still keeping her husband’s name? If she wants to retain the name, why did she sue for divorce? She cannot have her cake and eat it. She must choose one. Either to eat the cake or to have it. She has made her choice and so she should live with it by returning the name Alison-Madueke to the rightful owner. She has her own name Agama to return to and she should do that speedily.

    The court did not say she should keep her husband’s name after dissolving the marriage in 2022, with a decree nisi (interim dissolution until the affected party, within a specified time, shows why it should be set aside). The decree has since become absolute by the force of law since Alison-Madueke never sought to set it aside. In fact, Alison-Madueke never contested the petition. He allowed Diezani to have her way. Divorce she wanted and divorce she got. Now, Alison-Madueke too wants his name back. Why is that hard for Diezani, who went to court to dissolve the marriage, to do?

    In the eyes of the law, Diezani is no longer Alison-Madueke’s wife. This is why the retired naval chief is bringing a petition for jactitation of marriage. In essence, he is accusing Diezani of falsely alleging that she is married to him. He is therefore praying the court to perpetually restrain her from making such claims. Where will Diezani hide under the law to stop her estranged husband from having his way?

    Love is sweet when the going is good. When the going gets tough and rough, love becomes like a cactus that tears at the flesh and every other thing that the lovers once held dear. Love and life have happened to Diezani. Not all love stories end well. It must be remembered though that she wrote the script of the ending of of her marriage when she went to court in 2021 and got a favourable judgment in 2022.

    Alison-Madueke is only paying her back in her own coin. She cannot deep her feet inside water and be complaining of cold. She cannot with one hand drive her husband away and with the other insist on retaining the same man’s name. They are no longer one; they have become two different persons, just as they were before marriage in 1999. Diezani is no longer the bone of Alison-Madueke’s bones.

    She wanted out and she got out of the marriage. So, she should also let the man go with his name. As Shakespeare asked rhetorically in his play – Romeo and Juliet -”What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet”. Agama may not sound the same as Alison-Madueke, but it is still a name. Diezani should revert to her father’s name. At the end of the day, we will all bear our fathers’ names.

  • Diezani’s estranged husband asks court to stop ex-minister from using his name

    Diezani’s estranged husband asks court to stop ex-minister from using his name

    Alison Madueke, a former chief of naval staff, has filed a petition before the Lagos state high court, seeking to stop Diezani, former minister of petroleum, from using his surname.

    Madueke, a former military governor of Anambra and Imo states, married Diezani under the Marriage Act on June 30, 1999.

    However, in Madueke’s petition for jactitation of marriage, he claimed Diezani had filed for divorce at the Nasarawa State High Court in Mararaba, Gurku in November 2021, citing the “irreconcilable breakdown” of their marriage.

    He said since May 2015, he has lived apart from the respondent after she travelled to the UK.

    He contended that her continued use of his name amid corruption allegations was harmful to him and could implicate him or result in mistaken liability, especially considering they were no longer legally married.

    Rear Admiral Madueke, in the petition filed through her lawyers Chidi Ilogu (SAN), Dr Nasiru Tijani and Adedamola Kikiowo, stated that his cohabitation with Diezani ceased in May 2015 when she left her position as minister and relocated to the United Kingdom, adding that they have lived apart since then.

    He said he did not contest the suit, following which the court ended the marriage.

    Rear Admiral Madueke told the court that Diezani has continued to use his name despite the marriage ending.

    He stated: “On April 13, 2022, judgment was delivered in Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021 by Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya dissolving the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. The said dissolution of marriage has now become absolute by the operation of law.

    “Though the marriage has been dissolved and is now legally finalised, the respondent continues to use the petitioner’s first name (Alison) and surname (Madueke) as her own without any justification or consent from the petitioner.

    “It is now more than two years that the respondent continues to use the name of the petitioner to his embarrassment.”

    The petitioner stated that he instructed his lawyers to write Diezani to stop using his names and to revert to her pre-marital name (Agama), which they did on December 14, 2023, but she has neither responded nor ceased using the names.

    “The respondent has continued to hold out herself as the wife of the petitioner even when the marriage has been dissolved.

    “The respondent is undergoing criminal trials in both Nigeria and United Kingdom. The charge in Nigeria is Suit No. FUC/ABI/CR/208/2010.

    “The respondent faces public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, for which trials are ongoing for both.

    “The persistent portrayal of the respondent as the spouse of the petitioner is creating embarrassment, a misleading impression and tarnishing the reputation, integrity, and public image of the petitioner.

    “The respondent’s continued use of the petitioner’s first and surname falsely suggests to the public a continuing relationship between the parties though same has since legally ended.

    “The respondent’s continued use of the petitioner’s first and family names poses a significant risk of legal and financial harm to the petitioner.

    “Given the ongoing public allegations and trials concerning the respondent’s alleged misconduct, this association with the petitioner’s name could lead to mistaken liability or even implicate the petitioner in these legal issues.

    “The petitioner seeks the intervention of this Honourable Court to prevent the respondent from further using his first name and surname, thereby safeguarding his image, personality, and reputation.”

    Rear Admiral Madueke sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from further using his names following the dissolution of their marriage.

    He also prayed for a perpetual injunction restraining the respondent from further asserting by words or conducting the existence of marriage between them.

    The petitioner prayed for an order directing the respondent to adopt and revert to her pre-marital surname (Agama) and to publish in a national newspaper in both Nigeria and the UK that she has stopped using Alison Madueke.

  • Madueke to court: stop Diezani from using my name

    Madueke to court: stop Diezani from using my name

    • ‘We are divorced’

    Retired Rear Admiral Alison Madueke has urged the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere to stop his ex-wife Diezani from using his name.

    In a petition for jactitation of marriage (declaration that a marital union has ended), the ex-Chief of Naval Staff prayed the court to order Diezani to revert to her maiden surname, Agama.

    He contends that her continued use of his name amid corruption allegations was harmful to him and could implicate him or result in mistaken liability, especially considering they were no longer legally married.

    Rear Admiral Madueke, a former military governor of Anambra and Imo states, said he got married to Diezani on June 30, 1999, under the Marriage Act.

    He said his wife started gaining recognition in social and political circles by virtue of the marriage, which produced one child.

    According to the petitioner, the respondent started using the name “Alison Madueke” when she became a minister under the Jonathan Administration and served between 2010 and 2015.

    Rear Admiral Madueke, in the petition filed through his lawyers L. Chidi Ilogu (SAN), Dr Nasiru Tijani and Adedamola Kikiowo, stated that his cohabitation with Diezani ceased in May 2015 when she left her position as minister and relocated to the United Kingdom, adding that they have lived apart since then.

    The petitioner stated that Diezani sued for dissolution of marriage in November 2021 at the High Court of Nassarawa State sitting in Mararaba Gurku, citing an irretrievable breakdown of the union.

    He said he did not contest the suit, following which the court ended the marriage.

    Rear Admiral Madueke told the court that Diezani has continued to use his name despite the marriage ending.

    Read Also: EFCC to join forces with UK prosecutors in Diezani’s case

    He stated: “On the 13th day of April 2022, judgment was delivered in Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021 by Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya dissolving the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

    “The said dissolution of marriage has now become absolute by the operation of law.

    “Even though the marriage has been dissolved and is now legally finalised, the respondent continues to use the petitioner’s first name (Alison) and surname (Madueke) as her own without any justification or consent from the petitioner.

    “It is now more than two years that the respondent continues to use the name of the petitioner to his embarrassment.”

    The petitioner stated that he instructed his lawyers to write Diezani to stop using his name and to revert to her pre-marital name (Agama), which they did on December 14, 2023, but she has neither responded nor ceased using the names.

    “The respondent has continued to hold out herself as the wife of the petitioner even when the marriage has been dissolved.

    “The respondent is undergoing criminal trials in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    “The charge in Nigeria is Suit No. FUC/ABI/CR/208/2010.

    “The respondent faces public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, for which trials are ongoing for both.

    “The persistent portrayal of the respondent as the spouse of the petitioner is creating embarrassment, a misleading impression and tarnishing the reputation, integrity, and public image of the petitioner.

    “The respondent’s continued use of the petitioner’s first and surname falsely suggests to the public a continuing relationship between the parties though same has since legally ended.

    “The respondent’s continued use of the petitioner’s first and family names poses a significant risk of legal and financial harm to the petitioner.

    “Given the ongoing public allegations and trials concerning the respondent’s alleged misconduct, this association with the petitioner’s name could lead to mistaken liability or even implicate the petitioner in these legal issues.

    “The petitioner seeks the intervention of this Honourable Court to prevent the respondent from further using his first name and surname, thereby safeguarding his image, personality, and reputation.”

    Rear Admiral Madueke sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from further using his names following the dissolution of their marriage.

    He also prayed for a perpetual injunction restraining the respondent from further asserting by words or conducts the existence of marriage between them.

    The petitioner prayed for an order directing the respondent to adopt and revert to her pre-marital surname (Agama) and to publish in a national newspaper in both Nigeria and the UK that she has stopped using Alison Madueke.