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Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has filed a libel suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). The suit, with reference number CV/6273/2023, was filed on May 26, 2023, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The ex-minister is accusing the EFCC and AGF of publishing false and defamatory reports about her character, claiming that they had painted her as a corrupt and decadent public officer. She is seeking N100bn in damages, a retraction of the publications, and an unreserved apology in three national newspapers.

Diezani’s team of lawyers, led by Mike Ozekhome, SAN, cited several publications made on the EFCC’s website and other media platforms, which they claimed had permanently damaged their client’s reputation. She also alleged that the reports had been circulated globally via Google search engines.

Diezani, through her legal team, claimed that the statements against her were malicious and borne out of malice. She demanded that the EFCC and AGF cease further distribution of any harmful or libelous material concerning her and pay her N100bn in damages.

Additionally, the former minister is seeking a legal declaration from the court that the EFCC reports and other media houses’ publications are injurious to her personality and reputation. She believes that the publications have caused her public ridicule, contempt, and derision.

Diezani, who left the country in 2015, believes that the publications are injurious to her integrity and a smear campaign targeting her. She claimed that her reputation was of paramount importance to the success of her political endeavors, and any damage would be irreparable.

The lawsuit brought by the former minister against the EFCC and AGF is set to be a long-running battle between the parties, and it remains to be seen how it will impact both parties’ reputation.