Why You Must Stop Diezani From Using My Name, Ex-Husband Tells Court
Admiral Alison Madueke, a former Chief of Naval Staff, and ex-husband to embattled former Petroleum Minister Diezani Madueke, has petitioned the Lagos State High Court to compel his ex-wife to stop using his last name.
This plea comes amidst the backdrop of significant corruption allegations against the former Minister of Petroleum Resources.
In his petition, Admiral Madueke argues that Diezani’s continued use of his surname, despite their legal separation, is causing damage to his reputation. He expressed concerns over potential mistaken liabilities, given the high-profile corruption allegations Diezani faces.
Admiral Madueke and Diezani were married on June 30, 1999, under the Marriage Act. However, Diezani filed for divorce in November 2021 at the Nassarawa State High Court, citing irreconcilable differences. Admiral Madueke did not contest the divorce, leading to the marriage’s dissolution by Justice A.A. Ozegya in April 2022. Despite the finalization of the divorce, Diezani continues to use Madueke’s surname.
“Even though the marriage has been dissolved and is now legally finalized, the respondent continues to use the petitioner’s first name (Alison) and surname (Madueke) as her own without any justification or consent from the petitioner,” Admiral Madueke stated in his petition. “It is now more than two years that the respondent continues to use the name of the petitioner to his embarrassment.”
Admiral Madueke revealed that he had directed his legal representatives to serve Diezani a formal request on December 14, 2023, demanding that she cease using his surname and revert to her maiden name, Agama. However, Diezani has not responded and continues to use his name.
“The respondent has continued to hold out herself as the wife of the petitioner even when the marriage has been dissolved,” the petition reads, adding that the respondent is undergoing criminal trials in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
“The persistent portrayal of the respondent as the spouse of the petitioner is creating embarrassment, a misleading impression, and tarnishing the reputation, integrity, and public image of the petitioner.”
Admiral Madueke is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from further using his names. He also wants a court order compelling Diezani to revert to her maiden name and to publicly announce in a national newspaper, both in Nigeria and the UK, that she has ceased using his surname.
Although Diezani has served in various capacities in the Nigerian government, including Minister of Transportation and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, she’s facing corruption allegations to the tune of $2.5 billion during her time as Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister between 2010 and 2015.
