The husband of former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has petitioned a court seeking an order to stop the ex-minister from bearing his name.
Rear Admiral Alison Amaechina Madueke filed the petition in the High Court of Lagos, suit no LD/15144HD/2024, seeking an injunction to prevent his ex-wife from using his first name “Alison” and surname “Madueke” following their divorce.
The retired naval officer expressed concerns over the potential legal and reputational risks associated with Diezani’s continued use of his name, especially amidst her ongoing criminal trials in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The petition, which cites the irretrievable breakdown of their marriage and subsequent legal dissolution, aims to compel Diezani to revert to her pre-marital surname “Agama” and issue public notices in newspapers across Nigeria and the UK clarifying the discontinuation of using Madueke’s name.
The petition says Madueke and Diezani ceased living together in May 2015, following her ministerial appointment, leading to the filing of a divorce petition by Diezani in November 2021 (Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021) at the High Court of Nassarawa State.
On April 13, 2022, the marriage was legally dissolved by Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya, citing irreconcilable differences.
Despite the dissolution, Rear Admiral Madueke alleges that Diezani’s ongoing use of his surname and first name misleads the public into believing an ongoing relationship exists between them, causing embarrassment and damaging his reputation and integrity.
In his petition, Rear Admiral Madueke stated: “The respondent faces public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, which further compounds the risk of legal and financial harm to me as she continues to use my name without consent.
“This portrayal as her spouse creates a misleading impression and tarnishes my public image.”
He further explained that despite instructing his solicitors, Messrs Foundation Chambers, to formally request Diezani to cease using his name in December 2023, no compliance has been observed.
The specifics of the petition are:
“An injunction restraining Diezani Alison-Madueke from using the first name “Alison” and surname “Madueke.”
“An order directing Diezani to adopt and revert to her pre-marital surname “Agama.”
“Publication of notices in national newspapers in Nigeria and the UK informing the public of Diezani’s discontinuation of the use of Madueke’s name.”
Diezani Alison-Madueke’s legal team is expected to present arguments in court.
