Dieziani loses bid to upturn an earlier judgement against her.
The Court of Appeal Lagos Division on Friday dismissed an appeal by the embattled former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, challenging the forfeiture of her $40million worth of jewelry to the Federal Government.
The appellate court held that there was no substance in Alison-Madueke’s bid to overturn the lower court’s order.
It affirmed the 2019 judgment of Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court which forfeited the jewelry following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Nation reports that the appellate court gave its judgment in an appeal filed by Alison-Madueke marked as Appeal No CA/L/1263/19 between DIEZANI ALISON MADUEKE the EFCC).
On July 5, 2019, the EFCC secured an order of the high court temporarily forfeiting the expensive items to the Federal Government.
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According to the schedule attached to the application, the jewelry, categorised into 33 sets, include “419 expensive bangles; 315 expensive rings; 304 expensive earrings; 267 expensive necklaces; 189 expensive wristwatches; 174 expensive necklaces and earrings; 78 expensive bracelets; 77 expensive brooches; and 74 expensive pendants.”
The items were seized from the former Minister’s premises, at No. 10 Fredrick Chiluba Close, Asokoro, Abuja.
Justice Oweibo on July 19, 2019 granted the EFCC’s motion for final forfeiture of the jewelry.
Diezani had fled the county shortly before former President Goodluck Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
She is alleged to have stolen $2.5 billion from the Nigerian government while she was minister — an allegation she has denied.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has since commenced a process to extradite her.
The federal government has gained forfeiture of some of her properties located in Banana Island Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, including 18 flats and six penthouses.
Other properties allegedly recovered from her included personal wears and electronic gadgets.
The federal government has begun the process of screening 613 independent valuers expected to manage the sale of the assets permanently forfeited.