EFCC opposes Diezani Alison-Madueke’s use of UK acquittal in asset case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally opposed an application by former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke to present her recent acquittal in a UK court as evidence in a Nigerian legal battle.

Alison-Madueke is currently suing the EFCC in Nigeria to challenge the forfeiture and disposal of assets she claims are her personal property. Her legal team sought to introduce the June 17, 2026, verdict from London’s Southwark Crown Court—where she was acquitted of bribery and conspiracy charges—as material evidence relevant to her asset reclamation suit.

The EFCC argued before the Federal High Court in Abuja that the UK criminal proceedings are not material or relevant to the specific issues being determined in the Nigerian civil matter. The commission stated that the acquittal should not be used to expand the scope of the current case. Justice Inyang Ekwo has scheduled the hearing for the pending applications for November 11, 2026.