The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted an application filed by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to present evidence of her acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in London, UK.
Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the motion on notice moved by
Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Iyinbor, which was not challenged by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, counsel, Mofesomo Oyetibo, SAN.
The UK court had, on June 17, discharged and acquitted the
ex-minister in respect of criminal allegations of bribery brought against her.
Diezani had, in a suit filed before Justice Ekwo, sought to
reclaim her forfeited assets.
In the amended originating motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023,
she sued the EFCC as sole respondent.
When the case was called on Wednesday, Iyinbor and Oyetibo
regularised their processes.
Iyinbor, therefore, sought the leave of the court to move a
motion on notice which was filed on June 25.
He said the motion sought the permission to file a
further/supplementary affidavit for the purpose of bringing fresh and material
development with respect to Diezani’s acquittal by the UK court.
According to him, the application also sought an order to
deem the affidavit as being properly filed.
Oyetibo acknowledged being served with the application.
The EFCC’s lawyer said the motion was intended to waste the
judicial time of the court.
“They just want to bring to your lordship’s attention that
the applicant has been exonerated in the UK,” Oyetibo said.
But Justice Ekwo asked if he planned to oppose it or not, and
the lawyer said they were not objecting to the application.
The judge consequently granted the motion as prayed and
adjourned the matter until October 6 for hearing.
The judge held that on the next adjourned date, the
preliminary objection and the substantive suit shall be taken together.
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