EFCC Challenges Diezani's UK Acquittal in Court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to ignore the acquittal of Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, by a UK court. The EFCC argues that the judgment from the Southwark Crown Court, which acquitted her of bribery and corruption charges, does not influence the ongoing forfeiture proceedings concerning assets linked to her.

Justice Inyang Ekwo had previously allowed Diezani to present the UK judgment as evidence. However, the EFCC contends that the UK proceedings are unrelated to the Nigerian case and that the forfeiture orders issued by Nigerian courts remain valid.

The EFCC emphasized that the properties were sold under final forfeiture orders from July and September 2019, which have not been overturned. Diezani, represented by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, is seeking to have the court order the EFCC to retrieve properties sold without her being heard, claiming misrepresentation in the forfeiture process.