Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke permission to present evidence of her acquittal by a United Kingdom court in her ongoing bid to recover assets previously forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application after it was moved by Diezani's counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, and was not opposed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mofesomo Oyetibo.
The application sought leave to file a supplementary affidavit informing the court of a recent development—Diezani's discharge and acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in London on June 17 over criminal bribery allegations.
Diezani is challenging the forfeiture of her assets in a suit before the Federal High Court and is relying on the UK court's judgment to support her case.
During the proceedings, both parties regularised their court processes before Diezani's lawyer sought permission to file the additional affidavit.
Although EFCC counsel argued that the application could amount to a waste of the court's time, he confirmed that the commission was not opposing the request when questioned by the judge.
Justice Ekwo subsequently granted the application and adjourned the matter until October 6 for hearing. He also directed that the EFCC's preliminary objection and the substantive suit would be heard together on the next adjourned date.
