Admiral Alison Amaechina Madueke has filed a petition at the Lagos State High Court, seeking an official end to his marriage with Diezani Alison Madueke. Additionally, he is requesting that she cease using his first and last name.
In his petition for jactitation of marriage, Madueke is asking the court to instruct the former Minister of Petroleum Resources to revert to her maiden name, Agama. He argues that Diezani’s continued use of his name, despite their legal separation, is damaging his reputation and could lead to misunderstandings and unintended consequences, especially considering the corruption allegations against her.
Madueke, who previously served as the military governor of Anambra and Imo states, married Diezani on June 30, 1999.
He pointed out that Diezani had filed for divorce in the Nassarawa State High Court in November 2021, citing an irretrievable breakdown of their marriage. He did not contest the suit, which resulted in the court dissolving their marriage.
Madueke stated,
“The respondent continues to present herself as my wife, even though our marriage has been legally dissolved. Diezani faces ongoing criminal trials in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The charges in Nigeria are detailed in Suit No. FUC/ABI/CR/208/2010. Her continued use of my name amidst public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct causes significant embarrassment and misleads the public, tarnishing my reputation and public image.”
Madueke emphasized that Diezani’s continued use of his name falsely suggests a continuing relationship between them, posing a significant risk of legal and financial harm to him. He seeks the court’s intervention to prevent Diezani from using his name further, thereby safeguarding his image, personality, and reputation.
He also prays for a perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from asserting the existence of their marriage by any means. Additionally, he seeks 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.
