Ex-husband of former Petroleum Minister Seeks Court Order to Stop Diezani Madueke from Using His Name
Admiral Alison Amaechina Madueke has filed a petition at the Lagos State High Court, seeking a legal end to his marriage to Diezani Alison Madueke and a court order for her to stop using his name.
The former Chief of Naval Staff argues that Diezani's continued use of his name, despite their marriage being legally dissolved, harms his reputation and may lead to unintended consequences, including mistaken liability.
Madueke stated that Diezani filed for divorce at the Nassarawa State High Court in November 2021, citing irreconcilable differences and seeking a formal end to their marriage. He did not contest the divorce suit, leading to the court's dissolution of their marriage. However, Diezani continues to use his surname, despite the formal end of their marriage.
He said, "On April 13, 2022, Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya delivered a judgment in Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021, dissolving our marriage on the grounds that it had broken down irretrievably." The dissolution of marriage has become absolute by operation of law. Despite the legal finalization of the divorce, the respondent continues to use the petitioner's name, Alison Madueke, without consent or justification.
For over two years, the respondent has been using the petitioner's name, causing him embarrassment. Madueke disclosed that his legal team served Diezani a formal request on December 14, 2023, demanding she stop using his surname and revert to her maiden name, Agama. However, Diezani has ignored this legal notice and continues to use his name.
The petition stated, "Despite the dissolution of their marriage, the respondent still represents herself as the petitioner's wife." The respondent is facing criminal trials in Nigeria and the UK. The Nigerian case is Suit No. FUC/ABI/CR/208/2010. The respondent faces public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, with ongoing trials.
The respondent's continued portrayal as the petitioner's spouse is causing embarrassment and damaging the petitioner's reputation, integrity, and public image. The respondent's use of the petitioner's full name falsely implies an ongoing relationship, despite its legal end. The respondent's use of the petitioner's names poses a significant risk of legal and financial harm.
The petitioner requests this Court's intervention to stop the respondent from using their name, protecting their image, personality, and reputation. Madueke seeks a permanent injunction to stop Diezani from using his name after their divorce. He also seeks a court order for Diezani to revert to her maiden name and publicly announce, in Nigerian and UK newspapers, that she no longer uses his surname.