Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Alison Madueke, has filed a petition in the Lagos State High Court seeking a legal declaration to end his marriage to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani, and to stop her from using his last name. He is asking the court to order Diezani to revert to her maiden name, Agama.
The petition for jactitation of marriage (a declaration that a marital union has ended) argues that Diezani’s continued use of his name despite their legal separation is damaging to his reputation and could result in unintended liabilities, especially considering the corruption allegations against her.
Madueke, who served as a military governor of Anambra and Imo states, married Diezani on June 30, 1999, under the Marriage Act. He noted that Diezani filed for divorce in the Nassarawa State High Court in November 2021, citing an irretrievable breakdown of their marriage. He did not oppose the suit, leading to the court’s dissolution of the marriage.
Despite the formal termination of their union, Diezani continues to use his surname. Madueke stated, “On the 13th day of April 2022, judgment was delivered in Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021 by Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya dissolving the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. The said dissolution of marriage has now become absolute by the operation of law.”
Madueke revealed that he 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, despite this legal notice, Diezani has failed to respond and continues to use his name.
The petition further stated, “The respondent has continued to hold out herself as the wife of the petitioner even when the marriage has been dissolved. The respondent is undergoing criminal trials in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The charge in Nigeria is Suit No. FUC/ABI/CR/208/2010. The respondent faces public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, for which trials are ongoing for both.”
Madueke seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from using his names following the dissolution of their marriage. He also prays for a perpetual injunction preventing her from asserting, by words or conduct, the existence of marriage between them.
Additionally, he seeks a court order compelling Diezani to revert to her maiden name and publicly announce in national newspapers, both in Nigeria and the UK, that she has ceased using his surname.
Diezani has held several significant positions in the Nigerian government, including Minister of Transportation, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, and Minister of Petroleum Resources. She was also the first female President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, elected in November 2014. Corruption allegations have led to her arrest and legal proceedings in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
