Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted an application filed by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to present evidence of her acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court, London, in the UK.
Justice Ekwo granted the motion on notice moved by Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Iyinbor, which was not challenged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel, Mofesomo Oyetibo.
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The UK court had, on June 17, discharged and acquitted the embattled former 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.
At the day’s proceeding, Iyinbor and Oyetibo regularised their processes filed.
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.
He said 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 also said the motion was intended to waste the judicial time of the court.
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.
