By Prevail Inegbenose
A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until January 26, 2027, proceedings in a suit filed by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, seeking to recover assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
The case suffered a setback on Wednesday when it came up for mention before Justice Inyang Ekwo, following a request for adjournment by Diezani’s new counsel, Eko-Ejembi Eko, SAN.
Eko told the court that he was appearing in the matter for the first time and needed additional time to familiarise himself with the case file.
The application was not opposed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Paul Mgbeoma.
Consequently, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until January 26, 2027, for further mention.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Diezani is asking the court to compel the EFCC to recover her seized assets from individuals and corporate organisations to whom they were allegedly sold.
In an amended suit, the former minister is also seeking an order setting aside the commission’s public notice authorising the auction of her properties.
The EFCC had announced the sale of the assets between January 9 and 13, 2023.
Dissatisfied with the development, Diezani instituted a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023 against the commission, seeking an extension of time to obtain leave to challenge the public notice and proposed auction.
On July 1, Justice Ekwo granted her application to present evidence of her acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in London.
However, the EFCC opposed the application, arguing that the foreign court’s decision was irrelevant to the issues before the Federal High Court in the asset forfeiture dispute.
The commission subsequently urged the court to dismiss her request.
