Rear Admiral Alison Amaechina Madueke Rtd, a former husband to an ex Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has filed a pe
He requested that the court order the respondent (Diezani) to revert to her maiden name (Agama) and publish notices in newspapers with national circulation in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom announcing her cessation of the use of his first name and surname.
The petition, filed in the Lagos High Court under suit no. LD/15144HD/2024, seeks to prevent the former wife from using the petitioner’s name due to the significant risk of legal and financial harm posed to him as she faces criminal trials in Nigeria and the UK.
It notes that the couple ceased living together in May 2015 after her ministerial appointment. In November 2021, citing the irretrievable breakdown of their marriage, Diezani filed for divorce (Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021) at the High Court of Nasarawa State, Nasarawa Judicial Division, sitting at Mararaba Gurku.
On April 13, 2022, Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya issued a judgment in Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021, dissolving their marriage on the grounds that it had irretrievably broken down.
In his petition, the retired naval officer stated that the respondent is currently facing public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, with trials ongoing in both countries.
He expressed concern that the persistent association of the respondent with his name is causing embarrassment, creating a misleading impression, and damaging his reputation, integrity, and public image.
Despite the legal dissolution of their marriage being finalized, the respondent continues, more than two years later, to use the petitioner’s first name (Alison) and surname (Madueke) without justification or consent. This misleads the public into believing there is still a relationship between them, when in fact their marriage has legally ended.
According to the statement, the petitioner directed his solicitors to send a letter to the respondent, asking her to stop using his first name and surname.
Messrs Foundation Chambers sent an official letter dated December 14, 2023, urging the respondent to return to her maiden name (Diezani Kogbeni Agama) after the marriage was legally dissolved.
