Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, permission to present evidence of her recent acquittal by a United Kingdom court in her ongoing legal battle to recover assets previously forfeited to the Federal Government.
The ruling followed an application filed by Diezani’s counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, seeking leave of court to introduce fresh evidence arising from the judgment of the Southwark Crown Court in London, which discharged and acquitted the former minister of criminal bribery allegations on June 17.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mofesomo Oyetibo, confirmed that the anti-graft agency had been served with the application.
Although Oyetibo argued that the motion could amount to a waste of judicial time, he informed the court that the EFCC would not oppose the request.
Following the submission, Justice Ekwo granted the application and allowed the former minister to file and rely on a supplementary affidavit containing details of the UK court’s decision.
Iyinbor had urged the court to deem the additional affidavit as properly filed and served, describing the acquittal as a fresh and material development relevant to the determination of the suit.
The acquittal forms part of Diezani’s effort to challenge previous forfeiture orders and reclaim assets that were seized in connection with corruption investigations.
After granting the application, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until October 6, 2026, for hearing.
The court also directed that the EFCC’s preliminary objection and the substantive suit would be heard together on the adjourned date.
The development marks a new phase in the long-running legal dispute between the former minister and the anti-corruption agency over the ownership and forfeiture of assets linked to allegations of corruption during her time in office.
