Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to present evidence of her acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom.
Justice Ekwo approved the motion on notice filed by Diezani’s counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Mofesomo Oyetibo, declined to oppose the application.
The Southwark Crown Court discharged and acquitted the former minister on June 17 over criminal bribery allegations brought against her.
Diezani is seeking to recover assets previously forfeited to the Federal Government through a suit before the Federal High Court.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, both parties regularised their court processes.
Iyinbor then sought the court’s permission to move a motion on notice filed on June 25.
He explained that the application sought leave to file a further supplementary affidavit to place before the court the recent and material development arising from Diezani’s acquittal by the UK court.
He also requested an order deeming the supplementary affidavit properly filed.
Oyetibo confirmed receipt of the application and argued that the motion was intended to waste the court’s judicial time.
However, when Justice Ekwo asked whether the EFCC intended to oppose the application, Oyetibo confirmed that the commission had no objection.
The judge subsequently granted the application as requested and adjourned the matter until October 6 for hearing.
Justice Ekwo further directed that both the EFCC’s preliminary objection and the substantive suit would be heard together on the next adjourned date.